27 August 2008

The NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) will operate a polling place in the Perisher Valley and Thredbo so local skiers can vote in the 2008 local government elections.

“We will operate two polling places in the NSW snowfields serving local skiers at Thredbo and Perisher,” said NSW Electoral Commissioner Colin Barry.

“As there is no absentee voting at council elections, the Kosciusko and Thredbo polling places will only have ballot papers for residents and ratepayers who reside in the Snowy River Shire,” Mr Barry said.

“Visitors from outside that local government area, who are heading to the snowfields on polling day, should consider a postal or pre-poll vote so they can exercise their democratic right and avoid a fine for not voting.”

Postal vote applications close at 5pm on Monday, 8 September. Pre-poll voting will commence on Monday, 1 September. Locations are listed on the NSWEC website www.elections.nsw.gov.au.

The Kosciusko polling place will operate from the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s office on Kosciusko Road, Perisher Valley. The Thredbo polling place will operate at the Thredbo Memorial Community Centre, Crackenback Drive, Thredbo.

“Both sites will open for voting between 8am and 6pm on Saturday, 13 September so there will be plenty of time for skiers to hit the slopes before or after they vote.”

The NSWEC will also conduct a referendum on behalf of the Snowy River Shire Council. Voters will be asked to vote Yes or No on whether they approve of the mayor being popularly elected and whether they approve of the number of councillors being reduced from nine to seven.

Voting in referendums is compulsory and the results are binding on council.

If successful, the changes will take place from the next election in 2012, unless another referendum is held earlier.

Media Contact: Adrian Kerr, NSW Electoral Commission

(02) 9290 5954  adrian.kerr@elections.nsw.gov.au