11 June 2008

The New South Wales local council elections will be conducted to the same high standard as a state or federal election, the NSW Electoral Commissioner Colin Barry announced today.

More than four million voters are expected to go to the polls in 149 council areas on Saturday 13 September.

“The public wants confidence in its elected representatives. A crucial first step is making sure the electoral process is conducted at arms length from councils,” Mr Barry said.

“We will be removing many of the historical, ad-hoc arrangement where councils provided some electoral services in-kind, such as printing the ballot papers, hiring staff and choosing the location of polling places.

“These elections will usher in a new standard for local government and councils now have a true picture of what it costs to run their elections.”

The 2008 local government elections will cost approximately $31 million, compared to $38 million for the State election, despite five times as many candidates nominating compared to a State election.

“Local council elections are far more complex because you can have as many as 350 individual elections if you consider mayoral elections, referendums, polls and ward elections. They need to be properly resourced and voters want confidence in the process.”

The NSW Electoral Commission has kept costs down in some country areas by sharing a returning officer between neighbouring councils. It is conducting candidate information seminars at 30 locations across the State to encourage high quality candidates to stand will open an Elector Enquiry Centre for public enquiries later this month.

“We will also provide results for every council across the State on election night. These will be updated progressively over the next fortnight until all counts are concluded.”

Local council elections return to Tweed, Walgett, Liverpool and Warringah councils this year. Wollongong, Broken Hill and Port Macquarie-Hastings councils are under administration.

More information on the council elections is available at www.elections.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 135 736.

Media Contact:  Adrian Kerr, Corporate Communications
(02) 9290 5954  adrian.kerr@elections.nsw.gov.au