Liza Butler has resigned from her position as Councillor on Shoalhaven City Council, resulting in a casual vacancy on the council and prompting a count back of the December 2021 Local Government Ward 3 election by the Electoral Commission.
Cr Butler was elected to the NSW Parliament as Member for the South Coast in the State Government elections held in March and has chosen to step aside from her elected role on council.
“Liza has been a great advocate for her community and provided valuable contributions to the discussions and debates of the council in her time here with us,” said Mayor Amanda Findley.
“We understand Ms Butler’s decision to focus on her new role as the local state member and I particularly enjoyed working closely with her as Deputy Mayor and thank her for the work she has done as a councillor. I look forward to continuing to work with her as the Member for South Coast,” Cr Findley said.
Information has been provided to the Office of Local Government to fill the vacancy as soon as possible.
“This absence won’t disrupt the business of council and we are working with the Office of Local Government and NSW Electoral Office to ensure a full complement of representation for Ward 3 is resumed as soon as possible,” CEO Stephen Dunshea said.
The process of election for replacement is carried out by the Electoral Office and the Electoral Commissioner will initiate a countback election and should have a new Councillor in office in July.
Information about the countback election process are available on the website: Countback elections – NSW Electoral Commission.
