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.

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

Find out all you need to know about becoming a councillor.

For more information on becoming a councillor, please read NSW Government's Stand for your Community Candidate Guide.(PDF, 3MB)

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.

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 9 July
Where: Woollahra Council Chambers
Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.

Vaucluse Ward

When: 6:00pm-7:30pm, Tuesday 23 July
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.

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