Council FAQs

The first step is to notify the Funding, Disclosure and Compliance team of this change as they need to keep an accurate record of all the current councillors within a council.

Then depending on when this occurs within the four-year election cycle, either a by-election or countback election can occur. A by-election is an election in a single local government area or ward that takes place to fill the council vacancy. If the vacancy arises within the first 18 months of the local government ordinary elections, a 'countback' of the ballot papers can occur instead of a by-election.

This does not apply to a vacancy in the office of mayor. Note: Council must have passed the appropriate resolution in its first meeting, choosing the countback method for this to occur.

The non-residential rolls provide people who are non-resident owners, occupiers and rate-paying lessees of rateable land within the council area an opportunity to have a say in who is elected to council.

There are two non-residential rolls:

• the roll of non-resident owners of rateable land, and
• the roll of occupiers and rate-paying lessees.

The general manager of the council maintains the roll of non-resident owners. After each election, the non-residential rolls lapse. The general manager prepares new rolls for the next election and keeps them updated.

Voters may contact your council about questions or concerns regarding your non-residential roll.

Councils will have to complete a non-residential roll application form to add electors to the non-residential roll. 

Yes. Once accepted on the non-residential roll, electors have the same rights as residential electors and as such are able to stand for the role of councillor.

No. An elector can only cast one vote within a council area, irrespective of the number of properties or parcels of land they may own.

We would strongly advise it. Even though the NSW Electoral Commission will conduct a comprehensive advertising campaign, we don’t reach everyone.

It’s important for every elector in the area to have their say, so reaching as many people as possible with advertising is critical to a successful election.