WITH counting barely completed in the federal election, Lake Macquarie voters are preparing to return to local polling booths – this time for a council election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Eligible Lake Macquarie voters will be required to elect councillors and a new mayor on Saturday, September 10.
Sitting mayor Jodie Harrison (Labor), who is also the state member for Charlestown, will not recontest the role.
Laws introduced in 2012 ban anyone from holding the dual roles of local councillor and state MP.
Lake Macquarie is required to have a council election because it is not affected by amalgamations.
Local government areas affected by amalgamations – such as the Central Coast and Newcastle – will have their council elections next year.
Lake Macquarie City Council has again opted to manage its own election.
“Council resolved to run its election independently of the NSW Electoral Commission as the cost is significantly lower and there is a reduced risk of unnecessary costs by forming a commercial contract with an election services provider,” a spokesperson for the council told the Lakes Mail.
Australian Election Company provided that service to council in the 2012 election, and has been reappointed to oversee the September poll.
This week, council general manager Brian Bell took out newspaper advertisements advising of the election and calling for nominations.
Nominations opened on Monday for prospective councillors and a mayor, and will close on Wednesday, August 10.
Council hosted two seminars for prospective council candidates on July 12, and will hold a post-nomination seminar on August 17.
The Australian Election Company manages the recruitment of people to work at polling booths on election day.
Anyone interested in working at a polling booth can download an application form from the council website, lakemac.com.au.
