NSW Local Government elections 2024 and Constitutional Referendum
All voters will have the opportunity to elect councillors at the NSW Local Government elections on Saturday 14 September 2024.
Voters within the Woollahra Council local area, will also be requested to vote in a Constitutional Referendum on reducing the total number of Councillors from 15 to 9.
On 28 November 2022, Woollahra Municipal Council resolved to engage the NSW Electoral Commissioner to administer any elections, polls or referenda for Council for the 2024 elections. The details of that resolution are available here(PDF, 812KB).
For further information about your current elected representatives and their role in Council see Mayor and Councillors.
Constitutional Referendum on reducing the total number of Councillors from 15 to 9
On 13 May, Council resolved to hold a binding Constitutional Referendum at the 14 September Local Government Election, asking residents whether they favour reducing the total number of Councillors from 15 to 9, which would also see a reduction of wards in our LGA from 5 to 3.
If the majority of electors vote yes to this proposal at the upcoming election, the reduction would come into effect for the term of Council commencing in 2028. Voting in the referendum is compulsory for Australian citizens over the age of 18 years.
For more information on the referendum resolution by Council, visit: Your Say Woollahra
The Local Government election and the referendum will be conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission.
Non-residential rolls
Claims will close at 6pm on Monday 5 August 2024
There are two non-residential rolls:
• the roll of non-resident owners of rateable land(PDF, 432KB), and
• the roll of occupiers and rate-paying lessees(PDF, 439KB).
These two rolls are combined with the residential roll to form the roll of electors for a council area, which is used during the upcoming election on 14 September 2024.
It is NOT compulsory to be on a non-residential roll if you are eligible.
You can only vote ONCE in a Council area.
Check your enrolment details
Voting is compulsory for eligible Australian citizens. All residents are encouraged to check and if necessary, update, their enrolment details prior to the election date by visiting the NSW Electoral Commission’s website or calling 1300 135 736.
Moved recently? Update your enrolment by 5 August 2024
The NSW Electoral Commission is encouraging NSW voters to check their enrolment before 5 August 2024 to make sure they are ready to vote in the 2024 Local Government elections.
The electoral roll used at the election cannot be updated after 6pm on Monday, 5 August.
Acting NSW Electoral Commissioner Matt Phillips reminded voters that at council elections voters must attend a polling place in their council area or ward.
"If you’ve moved recently or aren’t enrolled to vote where you currently live, update your details now so you can vote at a polling place near you on 14 September."
"You cannot vote outside your local government area at local council elections, so it’s important your details on the electoral roll are correct."
"All you need to enrol is a driver's licence or similar identification document or you can have someone who is already enrolled confirm your identity."
Further information about enrolment and about the 2024 NSW Local Government elections is available on the Electoral Commission website.
Turning 18? Remember to enrol NOW to vote in the NSW local council elections
The NSW Electoral Commission is urging anyone who is eligible to vote in NSW to make sure they are enrolled by 5 August ahead of this year’s local council elections.
Acting NSW Electoral Commissioner Matt Phillips said thousands of young NSW residents would have recently become eligible to enrol to vote.
"If you are 17 and will be 18 on or before election day this year, you can provisionally enrol now and be ready to vote in September."
"It’s quick and easy to do online. Go to elections.nsw.gov.au to find out how to enrol and for information on voting in NSW.”
“It is compulsory to enrol to vote in NSW if you are eligible and aged 18 or over. All you need to enrol is a driver's licence or similar identification document or you can have someone who is already enrolled confirm your identity.”
Voting
Pre-poll
To ensure that eligible electors have the opportunity to early vote on a Saturday, pre-poll voting will open on Saturday, 7 September in all areas. The usual eligibility criteria will apply for those electors wishing to vote early.
Key Dates
Monday 5 August 2024
- Close of rolls for the purpose of being nominated
- Lodgement of nominations commence
Saturday 7 September 2024
- Pre-poll voting period commences
- Telephone voting registration and voting opens
Monday 9 September 2024
Postal vote applications close at 5pm
Friday 13 September 2024
- Pre-poll voting closes
- Telephone voting registration closes
Saturday 14 September 2024
Election day (8am - 6pm)
Friday 27 September 2024
Postal pack return ends
From Tuesday 01 October 2024
Progressive declaration of results
Represent your community as a Councillor at Woollahra Council
If you have a strong sense of community and are keen to make a difference in your local area, then you should consider becoming a councillor.
Local councils are the level of government closest to the community. They provide key infrastructure, facilities and services to local residents and are integral to building strong, resilient and connected communities.
Councillors represent their local community’s needs, wants and aspirations and make important decisions on behalf of their local community.
For more information on becoming a councillor, please read NSW Government's Stand for your Community Candidate Guide.(PDF, 3MB)
The NSW Electoral Commission has published a comprehensive candidate handbook for all you need to know about representing your community as a councillor. Read the candidate handbook here.
Timeline
The registration period is open now until 12 noon Wednesday, 14 August 2024.
A candidate or group must first be registered for the election before accepting political donations or making payments for electoral expenditure.
Find out about Registering to start campaigning.
The nomination period commences Monday, 5 August 2024 and ends at 12 noon Wednesday, 14 August 2024.
To have your name included on a ballot paper, you must be nominated as a candidate for the election.
Nomination is a separate process to being registered to accept political donations or to make payments for electoral expenditure.
You may be nominated by either:
- a registered political party; or
- two electors.
The Nominations Online Management System (NOMS) is now available for prospective candidates and registered political parties to commence preparing their nominations before the lodgement period opens on 5 August 2024.
Monday 5 August 2024
Wednesday 14 August 2024, 12pm
Tuesday 8 October - Wednesday 27 November 2024
- Woollahra Council Councillor Induction Program held over multiple dates. Find out more details below.
Councillor Induction Program
Council will deliver an Induction program for Councillors who are elected to Woollahra Council at the 14 September 2024 local government election. The purpose of the Induction program is to equip councillors with the information they need to perform their role effectively over the first few months with a particular focus on legislative requirements and building positive, collaborative relationships between councillors and staff.
The final program is under development and the tentative dates for sessions to be held are:
Date
|
Time
|
| Tuesday 8 October 2024 |
All day commencing 9am.
Followed by Councillor Oaths and Affirmations
commencing at approximately 4.30pm.
|
| Wednesday 9 October 2024 |
3pm to 5.30pm |
| Friday 11 October 2024 |
9am to 4.30pm |
| Wednesday 16 October 2024 |
5.30pm to 7.30pm |
| Friday 18 October 2024 |
9am to 1.30pm |
| Monday 21 October 2024 |
5.30pm to 7.30pm |
| Monday 28 October 2024 |
4.30pm to 5.30pm |
| Wednesday 30 October 2024 |
5.30pm to 7.30pm |
Wednesday 27 November 2024
|
5.30pm to 8pm |
Please note: Dates and times will be updated as the induction program is finalised. Please regularly refer back to this page for the most up to date information.
Candidate helpdesk
The NSW Electoral Commission provides a helpdesk for candidates to answer questions in relation to their candidature or election processes.
The Candidate helpdesk is operational Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and can be contacted by phone on 1300 022 011 or via email at candidates@elections.nsw.gov.au.
Rules Regarding Election Posters and other Electoral Material
The regulated election period is from Monday, 5 August 2024 until 6pm, Saturday, 14 September 2024. During this period, all electoral material such as how-to-vote cards and posters must meet the requirements of the legislation in relation to content, type, placement and distribution.
During the regulated election period, posters must not be displayed on or within any premises occupied or used by, or under the control or management of any Council.
Some exceptions apply to the display of posters:
- posters may be displayed on the outer wall, fence or other boundary of the grounds of an enclosure in which a building used for voting is situated
- posters may be displayed within the grounds of an enclosure in which a building used for voting is situated
- posters may be displayed on a vehicle on a road or road related area
- posters may be fixed or attached to a table or stall on a footpath or other public places at any time of day of voting for an election.
There may be public safety concerns regarding the placement of posters, including A-frames, on footpaths or other public spaces and Council will act according to its authority in these matters.
Posters need to be no larger than 0.8m2 in area and can only be displayed during the following periods
- 8 weeks immediately preceding the day on which the election is held
- the day on which the election is held
- 1 week immediately following the day on which the election is held.
Meet Your Ward Councillors
Throughout the year we hold sessions for residents to meet their Ward Councillors and discuss key issues or concerns. Sessions are organised if there is demand from the community and Councillors.
These sessions are a forum to discuss general issues in your area. If you want to make a request for a specific service such as tree removal, you can do so using the Woollahra App. If you have a concern related to your property, please get in touch with our Customer Service team.
To provide your feedback on key Council projects, visit our community engagement website Your Say Woollahra.
Which ward do I live in?
There are five Wards in the Woollahra local government area:
- Bellevue Hill
- Cooper
- Double Bay
- Paddington
- Vaucluse
To find out which Ward you live in, use our interactive map.
Upcoming ward meetings
Paddington Ward
When: 6:00pm-7:30pm, Tuesday 13 August
Where: Woollahra Council Chambers
Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.
To RSVP or submit questions for any of the ward meetings, please visit our Your Say page.