The President of the NSW peak body for local government has congratulated new and returning councillors and mayors on being elected to represent their communities.
With this week’s declaration of the polls, Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President Cr Darriea Turley AM said she looked forward to working alongside the newly elected representatives, with LGNSW ready to continue its advocacy on behalf of the state’s 128 councils.
“I warmly welcome all the councillors and mayors who have been given the great privilege of shaping and supporting their towns and cities for the next four years,” Cr Turley said.
“Being elected to council is a tremendous honour. Whether it be rural, remote, regional or metropolitan areas, councils and their elected bodies are on the ground at the frontline, delivering essential services, building and maintaining community facilities and essentially keeping the hearts of their communities beating,” she said.
Cr Turley expressed her sincere appreciation to the state’s outgoing mayors and councillors for their service.
“So many have made valuable contributions to the local government sector, and we look forward to our new mayors and councillors continuing to conduct themselves in the same positive and engaged way,” Cr Turley said.
Local democracy restored to three councils
Last month’s elections saw local democracy return to three councils that had been under administration – Central Coast Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council and Balranald Shire Council.
Cr Turley said she was thrilled that those communities once again had the opportunity to elect their council representatives.
“These cities and towns have been without democratically elected representation for some time, so it’s wonderful to see local democracy restored,” Cr Turley said.
By-elections to come
Cr Turley said four councils would need to have by-elections in November due to being “undersubscribed” in terms of candidates.
• Berrigan Shire (seven of eight vacancies filled)
• Cowra (eight of nine vacancies filled)
• Junee Shire (eight of nine vacancies filled)
• Lachlan Shire – E Ward (one of two vacancies filled)
Cr Turley said it was unfortunate that the byelections would be another cost burden for those councils, which are all in rural and regional areas.
“There’s a general lack of awareness in the community that councils have to pay for their own elections, even when they are using the NSW Electoral Commission,” Cr Turley said.
