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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

No by-elections during this Tweed Council term

Latest News

Retired local professor launches book on grief

A leading international thinker and researcher in the development of innovative sport coaching and physical education teaching has returned home to Byron Bay and is launching his first non-academic book, 'Grief and Growth', on April 4 at The Book Room in Byron. 

Other News

Roller derby rocks the Cavanbah Centre

The Red Kennedys have once again dominated the Northern Rivers Revolt Roller Derby Tournament held at the Cavanbah Centre over the weekend of March 16-17.

Murwillumbah’s Rebecca Whan recognised for tireless work post 2022 floods

Murwillumbah was severely impacted by the 2022 floods and it was a huge community effort to support, rescue and inspire everyone to move forward. 

Urgent appeal

At last Thursday’s Byron Council meeting a long and dedicated campaign to save rail tracks and restore trains in...

Community grants on offer

Ingrained Foundation is running its fifth annual grants program, with a funding pool of $150,000.

Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need

Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Each of the seven newly-elected Councillors have taken their Oath or Affirmation of Office before the General Manager. From top left (clockwise): Cr Nola Firth, Cr Reece Byrnes, Cr Rhiannon Brinsmead, Cr Meredith Dennis, Cr James Owen, Cr Chris Cherry and Cr Warren Polglase (centre).

Following the election of Councillors Chris Cherry (Independent) and Reece Byrnes (Labor) as the Tweed Mayor and Deputy Mayor at last Tuesday’s Tweed Council meeting the next order of business was to decide if a by-election should take place if a councillor could not continue in their elected role. 

Councillors were required to decide if they would have a by-election or what is called a ‘countback’ should one of the seven council positions become vacant in the next 18 months. 

‘The first time the state government has offered this option,’ said Mayor Cherry. 

This option allows councils to go back to the original votes cast and look to fill the vacancy. 

The motion to support a count back was put by Mayor Charry and seconded by new councillor Meredith Dennis. 

‘By-elections cost almost as much as full elections,’ said Mayor Cherry. 

‘It cost almost $750,000 for the recent election. It is an unreasonable cost to put on the ratepayers for a by-election.’

According to the NSW Electoral Commission the countback election ‘Where a candidate is interested, they must submit a formal application to the returning officer’.

If there are no eligible candidates then a by-election is run. If there is more than one eligible candidate then a ‘countback’ election is conducted. This process ‘effectively re-runs the election making the vacating councillor ineligible and distributing each of their ballot papers to the next preference on the ballot paper,’ states the NSW Electoral Commission Circular No 18-47. 

The vote to support a countback election for any casual vacancies in the upcoming 18 months was supported unanimously by all newly elected councillors.


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Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

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