Do you feel properly represented by your local councillors? Are they listening to you? Are they driving forward the concerns raised by you and your community? Could you do a better job?
These are the questions each and every resident needs to consider as the next Council elections head our way in September this year.
Taking the proverbial ‘bull by the horns’ Tweed Shire Council will be providing briefing sessions in May and June for prospective candidates to gain a better understanding of the role of councillor, ahead of the NSW Local Government elections on Saturday, 14 September 2024.
Four briefing sessions will be hosted in total, conducted by former Mayor of Lismore Jenny Dowell OAM and supported by Tweed Shire Council and Local Government NSW. The same content will be repeated at each event so prospective candidates will only need to attend one of the following sessions:
- Tuesday 7 May: 9 am – 12 pm, Harvard Room, Tweed Heads Administration Office
- Tuesday 7 May: 5.30 – 8.30 pm, Harvard Room, Tweed Heads Administration Office
- Tuesday 4 June: 9 am – 12 pm, Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium
- Tuesday 4 June: 5.30 – 8.30 pm, Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium.
Council’s Manager Corporate Governance Stephanie Papadopoulos said the briefing sessions would provide valuable insights and essential information for all those interested in standing for election as a councillor.
‘Councillors make significant decisions that have a far-reaching impact on their community, so it is important anyone considering nominating to run in the upcoming election is aware of their potential roles and responsibilities and the time commitments involved,’ Ms Papadopoulos said.
‘Council strives to provide robust support for our elected members and these candidate briefings aim to address any questions or uncertainties that prospective candidates may have, ensuring they are well-informed and prepared for the challenges and rewards that come with serving the community.’
The candidate briefing sessions will focus on these key areas:
- The benefits and importance of local government
- Understanding the role of council and the role of councillor
- A typical council structure
- Challenges of the role and how to meet them
- The importance of diverse representation on council
- Importance of speaking out on key issues and how to do this confidently
- Meeting procedures and rules of debate
- Support available including information and networks.
To register to attend a candidate briefing, visit:
- Tweed Heads morning session – 7 May
- Tweed Heads evening session – 7 May
- Murwillumbah morning session – 4 June
- Murwillumbah evening session – 4 June
For further questions, call Tweed Council on 02 6670 2400.
Council has engaged the NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) to administer the election. The NSWEC has published a comprehensive timeline for the 2024 election. For further information on the election, including how to register as a candidate, visit the NSWEC at elections.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 135 736.
The Office of Local Government has published the Stand for Your Community Candidate Guide as a starting point to help you decide whether you would like to run in the next council election in September 2024.
Byron Council is prepared to commit ECOCIDE AT WALLUM despite massive opposition from the community. It is prepared to ignore homelessness and the stark need for SOCIAL HOUSING. Nightly the TV informs the Nation of Byron Bay being the highest area in NSW with chronic homelessness. It claims that ‘it cannot change conditions of consent”…..thus cruel decisions are made that will impact the environment and sentient beings for decades in the future.
Indeed, the Mayor has limp attempts at representation and claims ‘he will have a private conversation with the Wallum Developer and see if ‘he can garner concessions”…So MUCH FOR DEMOCRACY…AND THE CRONIES AND DEVELOPERS LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ such is the power of greed! Honesty and guts please.J