Local Government Elections postponed until December

On Sunday (25 July) the NSW Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock postponed the Local Government Elections set to take place in September.

The Minister has announced that the Local Government Elections will now take place on Saturday 4 December 2021.

This decision was made by the Minister based on advice from the Electoral Commission and NSW Health. I became aware when the decision was Gazetted meaning there was no ability to debate or discuss the postponement.

I know there are a number of people that are disappointed by this decision, our Councils have already been in place a year longer than they were elected for. I have written to the Minister seeking a solution for regional areas that would allow us to proceed to elections as planned.

New important dates

25 Oct 2021 – Close of electoral rolls and Candidate nominations open
3 Nov 2021 – Close of candidate nominations (12pm)
5 Nov 2021 – Caretaker period commences
22 Nov 2021 – Pre-poll voting opens
29 Nov 2021 – Postal vote applications close
3 Dec 2021 – Pre-poll voting closes
4 Dec 2021 – Election day
17 Dec 2021 – Return of postal votes closes
21 – 23 Dec 2021 – Results declared progressively as counts are finalised by election manager