People urged to vote in Saturday’s historic local government polls
Published Tuesday, 11 March, 2008 at 05:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Queenslanders are being urged to make their votes count when the State’s historic local government elections are held this Saturday, March 15.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said voting was compulsory for more than 2.6 million Queenslanders listed on the electoral roll to vote in the elections.
The elections are the first for the local government areas affected by last year’s mergers and boundary changes.
“Queenslanders will go to the polls to elect the 73 mayors and 480 councillors who will lead their communities through the next four years,” Mr Pitt said.
“Every vote counts towards the outcome. I urge people to combine their democratic duty and their democratic right and make sure they vote in their local council election.
“Voting in the elections is not only compulsory, but it is also a vital part of the democratic process.
“I strongly encourage everyone to find out about the candidates standing in their local area so they can make an informed choice.
“It is fundamentally important that the community has a say about who will be governing their local government areas.”
In total there are 1634 candidates contesting the elections, 271 of whom have nominated for mayoral positions and 1363 are seeking election as a councillor.
Mr Pitt said while the majority of voters would vote in person at a polling booth on Saturday, postal ballots were being held in 28 mainly rural and western local government areas.
Additionally, people who were going to be absent from their local government area on Saturday could apply for a postal vote by contacting the Electoral Commission of Queensland no later than this coming Thursday March 13.
“On Saturday, people will only be able to cast a vote within the boundaries of their local government area, so if they are going to be away from home, they will have to apply for a postal vote by Thursday of this week.”
Mr Pitt said the reform process was changing the face of local government in Queensland.
The independent Local Government Reform Commission had comprehensively reviewed local government arrangements last year. It had recommended a fundamental overhaul of councils and their boundaries, and a reduction of approximately 700 in the number of elected local officials.
“Previously there were 157 local councils in Queensland. Of the 73 remaining local government areas, 38 are existing councils, 31 are new, and four are existing councils with changed boundaries.
“This major reform of local government, together with a review of the legislation, is building a new, stronger system of local government and getting the best possible outcomes for local communities.”
The Queensland Electoral Commission will progressively post the results of the elections on its website www.ecq.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said voting was compulsory for more than 2.6 million Queenslanders listed on the electoral roll to vote in the elections.
The elections are the first for the local government areas affected by last year’s mergers and boundary changes.
“Queenslanders will go to the polls to elect the 73 mayors and 480 councillors who will lead their communities through the next four years,” Mr Pitt said.
“Every vote counts towards the outcome. I urge people to combine their democratic duty and their democratic right and make sure they vote in their local council election.
“Voting in the elections is not only compulsory, but it is also a vital part of the democratic process.
“I strongly encourage everyone to find out about the candidates standing in their local area so they can make an informed choice.
“It is fundamentally important that the community has a say about who will be governing their local government areas.”
In total there are 1634 candidates contesting the elections, 271 of whom have nominated for mayoral positions and 1363 are seeking election as a councillor.
Mr Pitt said while the majority of voters would vote in person at a polling booth on Saturday, postal ballots were being held in 28 mainly rural and western local government areas.
Additionally, people who were going to be absent from their local government area on Saturday could apply for a postal vote by contacting the Electoral Commission of Queensland no later than this coming Thursday March 13.
“On Saturday, people will only be able to cast a vote within the boundaries of their local government area, so if they are going to be away from home, they will have to apply for a postal vote by Thursday of this week.”
Mr Pitt said the reform process was changing the face of local government in Queensland.
The independent Local Government Reform Commission had comprehensively reviewed local government arrangements last year. It had recommended a fundamental overhaul of councils and their boundaries, and a reduction of approximately 700 in the number of elected local officials.
“Previously there were 157 local councils in Queensland. Of the 73 remaining local government areas, 38 are existing councils, 31 are new, and four are existing councils with changed boundaries.
“This major reform of local government, together with a review of the legislation, is building a new, stronger system of local government and getting the best possible outcomes for local communities.”
The Queensland Electoral Commission will progressively post the results of the elections on its website www.ecq.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819