Council calls for 2020 Election suggestions
With less than twelve months until the 2020 Local Government Elections, Wingecarribee Shire Council is asking for suggestions on how Council can better attract candidates to represent the Shire.
Council’s Group Manager Corporate and Community, Danielle Lidgard said one way was for residents to provide feedback as part of a Council survey.
“A reoccurring sentiment heard from councils throughout the state is that their team of councillors do not always reflect the diversity of their respective communities,” she said.
A Motion put forward by Wingecarribee Shire Council at the 2018 Local Government NSW Conference suggested a report be prepared looking at the reasons for the varying levels of diversity across councils.
“At this same conference we suggested that a set of recommendations be introduced to promote diversity that better reflects community demographics,” Ms Lidgard added. “This Motion subsequently secured universal support from council representatives in attendance.”
“Ideally, next year we’d love to see a large and diverse range of candidates that are reflective of our Shire and its citizens nominate for Council.
“To help achieve this we want to hear from potential candidates, and the broader community, on what motivates or interests them about the role of a councillor and any barriers they foresee would hinder them from standing.”
Ms Lidgard said the survey would be open until mid-November.
“This survey is the start of a conversation that we want to continue up until next September’s Local Government Elections,” she said.
“Once the survey is complete we’ll share the results and incorporate the findings as part of a series of Candidate Information Seminars we’ll roll out as the Election draws closer.”
Surveys can be found at www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au/elections-2020 and must be submitted by 5pm Wednesday 13 November 2019.
The 2020 NSW Local Government Elections will be held on Saturday 12 September 2020 with each term of Council sitting for a four-year period.
“I urge anyone considering standing for Council, or who may have previously stood, to take part in this survey to help us encourage more people to raise their hand.”