Published Wednesday, 19 March, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Newly-elected councils expected to hold first meetings within next two weeks
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt says he expects Queensland’s 73 newly-elected local councils to hold their first meetings within the next two weeks.
Mr Pitt said the calling of the first meeting was the responsibility of the chief executive officer of each council, with the timing governed by provisions of the Local Government Act.
“The first meeting of the newly-elected councils must be within 14 days after the poll for each council is declared," he said.
“A poll must be declared as soon as the election result is clear. This may be any time from soon after the election up until when the last votes may be received - 10 days after the election.
“I expect the various polls to be declared progressively over the next week, and then for the first meeting of each council to be held within a week or so after that.”
Mr Pitt said under the Local Government Act, the returning officer for each council poll had to declare the poll as soon as practicable after the result of a poll was known.
“If it is clear that any outstanding votes cannot affect the result of the election, then the returning officer must not delay this process on the basis that some ballot papers have not been received.”
Queensland’s 31 newly-merged councils each have acting chief executive officers.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt said the calling of the first meeting was the responsibility of the chief executive officer of each council, with the timing governed by provisions of the Local Government Act.
“The first meeting of the newly-elected councils must be within 14 days after the poll for each council is declared," he said.
“A poll must be declared as soon as the election result is clear. This may be any time from soon after the election up until when the last votes may be received - 10 days after the election.
“I expect the various polls to be declared progressively over the next week, and then for the first meeting of each council to be held within a week or so after that.”
Mr Pitt said under the Local Government Act, the returning officer for each council poll had to declare the poll as soon as practicable after the result of a poll was known.
“If it is clear that any outstanding votes cannot affect the result of the election, then the returning officer must not delay this process on the basis that some ballot papers have not been received.”
Queensland’s 31 newly-merged councils each have acting chief executive officers.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819