take a stand - shire of trayning

Western Australian Local Government Elections

As a local government councillor you can influence decisions in your community about:

• theenvironment• communitydevelopment• sportandrecreation• publichealthandsafety• essentialinfrastructure• futureplanning

Passionate about your local community? Stand for local council and make a real difference.

Thebestwaytoinfluencechangeis to be involved in thedecision-makingprocess.

Local government councillors are electedbypeoplewholiveanddobusinessinthelocal council area.

Take a stand

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LET’S VOTE –Local Government Elections

Councillors play an important role

Councillorsplayanimportantcommunityleadershiproleandinfluencethedecisionsthatcouncilsmakeaboutwhathappenslocally.

A councillor gets involved in:

x determininglocalgovernmentpolicies

x developingandmonitoringstrategicplansandbudgets

x makingsurethecouncil’sresourcesareusedfairlyforthebenefitofallcommunity members, and

x overseeingtheallocationofthelocalgovernment’sfinancesandresources.

Thebestwaytoinfluencechangeistobe partofthedecision-makingprocess.Beingonacouncilisawayyoucanmakesurecommunityperspectivesareheardandconsidered.It’syourcommunityandyour localgovernment.Bepartofboth.

A big decision with many rewards

Becomingacouncillorisabigdecisionandfortheextrawork,therearemanyrewards.

Takingonacommunityleadershiprolemeanstherearedemandsonyourtimetoreadlocalgovernmentdocumentsandattendmonthlycouncil meetings, community functions and othermeetings.

Manycouncillorsalsorepresentlocalgovernment on boards and committees to be awareofcommunityneedsandgoals.Youmayhavetotravelandspeakpublicly,butyoualsogettomakedecisionsthatareforthebenefitof everyone in your local community.

Succeedinginthisroleisaboutbalancingresponsibilities,obligationsandcommitments.

Youwillreceivetrainingonbeingacouncillor.

Beingacandidate willinvolvetime, money and effort.

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Your role as a councillor

Once elected as a councillor your role willinvolve:

x Presenting your arguments and debatingwithothercouncillors.

x Readingandunderstandingreports,plans,policiesincludingbudgets,strategicplansandlocallaws.

x Publicspeakingatcommunityeventsandbeinginthepubliceye.

x Dealingwithissuesthatsometimesmaynotseemimportanttoyou.

x Managingexpectationsfromwithinthecouncil and community on issues. It is thejobofallcouncillorstorepresenteveryoneintheircommunities.

x Dealingwiththerealityofwhatissuesyoucaninfluence,whatyoucanachieveand act on as a councillor.

Who can nominate as a candidate?

Localgovernmentelectionsareheldeverytwo yearstoelectcouncillorsforfouryearterms.Peoplecannominatetobecomeacandidate,iftheyare:

x 18 or older

x enrolled to vote

x aresidentorratepayerofthecouncilarea,oranoccupierofrateablelandinthearea

Allowtimeforresearchand to find out local information.

x theyarealreadyanelected member of state orfederalparliament

x theyhavebeenbankrupt

x theyareinprison

x theyhavebeenconvicted of a serious local government offencewithinthepastfiveyears

x theyhavebeenconvicted on indictment ofanoffenceforwhichtheindictablepenaltywas(orincluded)imprisonmentforlifeorimprisonmentformorethanfiveyears

x theyareamemberofanotherlocalgovernment council

Somepeoplemaybeineligibleandcannotbeacandidateif:


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More informationCallintothe Shire officeandaskforinformationorcontacttheDepartmentofLocalGovernmentandCommunities.

DepartmentofLocalGovernmentandCommunities Telephone:(08)65518700 Fax:(08)65521555 Freecall(Countryonly):1800620511 Email:[email protected] Website:www.dlgc.wa.gov.au TranslatingandInterpretingService(TIS)–Telephone:131550

Your nomination checklist

To nominate to be a councillor you must:

1. Filloutandincludeanominationform.

2. Attachacandidateprofile.

3. Payadepositof$80.

4. Signanauthorisationform.

5. Contactthereturningofficeratyourlocalgovernmentaboutprocessingyournomination.

Your next Local Government Elections will be held in October 2021 with 3 seats opening up for the Shire of Trayning.

A call for Nominations will be advertised according to the Election Guidelines later in the year.

Ifthenumberofpositionsequals(orislessthan)thenumberofcandidatesnominated,youwillautomaticallybeappointedasacouncillor.Ifthenumberofcandidatesisgreater,youwillhavetothinkaboutcampaigningforapositiononcouncil.

Don’t be afraid to ask if you have any questions and are interested in becoming a Councillor.

To improve your chance of winning:

x Gettoknowthelocalareaandissuesreallywell.

x Attend some council meetings and get an idea ofthemeetingprocessesandissuesdiscussed.

x Workoutyourcampaigntheme.Thethemeneedstoreflectwhatthevoterswanttohearbasedoncommunityissues.

x Thecommunitywillwanttoknowwhatyoustandforsotheycandecidewhethertovoteforyou.

x Youwillneedtoplanandmarketyourcampaign,andpromoteyourself.

x Youwillneedtodevelopaprofileandbe seen. Get involved in community groupsandorganisations.

x Listen to community and individual concerns.

x Encouragepeopletoenrolandvoteforyou.Letthemknowwhytheirvoteisimportant.

x Workoutwhocanhelppromoteyouasacandidate.Considerpublishingbrochures,doorknocking,meetingwithpeopleandlocalmediaopportunities.


take a stand - shire of trayning

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