So you think you can….. be a councillor

There won’t be auditions, but the call has gone out for talented, community-minded Queenslanders to consider standing for their local council at the local government elections next March.

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today announced the start of a Statewide ‘How to become a councillor’ seminar series promoting election to local government as a career choice.

Mr Pitt said with a little over five months until the next council elections he expected the Government’s high profile local government reform program would ensure the 2008 council elections were keenly contested.

“There is no doubt local government reform will change the face of local government in Queensland and it has placed the sector well and truly in the spotlight.

“Next March, Queenslanders will vote in 73 local government areas. Of these 73 councils, 38 are existing councils, 31 are new councils and four are existing councils with changed boundaries.

“In those 73 local government areas, people will be voting to elect 73 Mayors and 480 councillors, to represent them and take their council forward into the future.

“There is a large pool of existing councillors, many of whom no doubt will put themselves forward as candidates for election.

“Potentially there could be an even larger pool of members of the public who also believe they can make a contribution to their council and their community, and be part of building a new, stronger system of local government.

“There is certainly nothing wrong with vigorously contested elections. As a rule, the best representation is achieved by voters selecting from the best available field of candidates,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said the Department of Local Government would conduct 17 ‘How to become a councillor’ seminars around the State, starting on Tuesday 9 October 2007.

“Anyone with an interest in becoming a councillor can attend. The seminars help potential candidates know exactly what is involved through the election process, and the roles and responsibilities of a councillor should they choose to nominate and be elected.

“The Government is committed to building a stronger, more contemporary local government sector and I’m sure there will be many Queenslanders, including many current councillors, who would like to be involved.

“Every day I meet community-minded people, passionate about their local regions – this is what local government is all about,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said the seminars were particularly focussed at community-minded individuals with strong leadership and business skills.

“Being an elected official comes with significant responsibly. It is not an easy job, nor a job for everyone.

“Honesty and integrity are essential qualities, and candidates should be strategically-minded with the ability to identify future challenges and opportunities for their region or local area.

“Importantly though, it can be extremely rewarding personally. I’m an elected representative myself and that’s part of what motivates me,” Mr Pitt said.

“One aspect of the job that potential candidates understandably would be interested in is how much do the positions pay.

“On that point, people will have to wait on the recommendations of an independent remuneration tribunal, soon to be established, to determine the salaries and entitlements of mayors and councillors.

“The salaries will vary depending on whether the positions are fulltime, and the size of the local government area involved.

“The tribunal’s recommendations will be made public ahead of the calling of nominations for the elections next March, and well in time for those who might be considering whether to stand for election.

“Without pre-empting the tribunal’s recommendations in any way, and in ball park terms only, the existing mayoral and councillor salaries, or meeting fees where the positions are not fulltime, by and large provide some indication of the remuneration that might be on offer.”

Mr Pitt said the seminars would be complemented by an online course covering the same information as the face-to-face seminars.

“Not everyone will be able to make it to one of the seminars, but the Department has developed an online course which provides everything a person needs to know about how to become a councillor and the roles and responsibilities of elected councillors”, he said.

The ‘How to become a councillor’ seminar series will be supported by radio and newspapers advertisements.

Information on the seminars including dates, times and locations is available at www.strongercouncils.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819