Local Government elections will be held on 13 September 2008.

Are you interested in being a councillor?

Local Government councillors are elected representatives of the people who live, work and do business in the local Council area.

Councillors play a very important community leadership role and influence the decisions that Councils make about what happens locally.

Visit our councillors and city ward maps pages for more information.

You can download the Becoming a Councillor publication (587kb pdf) which outlines the role of Local Government councillors.

You can also attend a free candidate information seminar which will be held in Newcastle on Thursday 22 May from 6 - 7.30pm in the Newcastle Room at Newcastle City Hall.

Who can nominate as a councillor?

Local Government Council elections are held every four years. Generally, anyone who is entitled to vote can stand as a candidate. Candidates must be:

• Over 18 years of age, and
• A resident or ratepayer in the Council area, and
• An Australian citizen
• On the Electoral Roll.

People who are not entitled to nominate as a candidate include Council employees, or candidates for election in other Local Government Council areas.

What does being a local government councillor involve?

A councillor gets involved in:

• Deciding on Council plans and policies for the local area
• Guiding Council affairs
• Ensuring Council resources are used fairly for the benefit of everyone in the community
• Talking to local people about their views and ideas for the area
• Letting others know on the Council, regionally and in State and Commonwealth Government agencies, about the local community issues.

Once successfully elected, your role as councillor will involve:

• Attending and participating in Council meetings, which are run using formal meeting rules
• Reading and understanding reports and recommendations, including financial and social research reports
• Presenting your arguments and debating with other councillors
• Public speaking at community events.

It is expected that all councillors will conduct themselves in a manner that promotes a high standing of the Council within the community, and in accordance with principles of honesty and fairness that generates community trust and confidence in the Council. 

Newcastle City Council has a Code of Conduct which sets out the rules for councillors.

Do Councillors get paid?

Councillors are not paid wages but they are entitled to receive an annual allowance. The annual allowance paid to Councillors varies from Council to Council. Expenses related to Council business can also be reimbursed, for example, telephone and travelling costs, fees for child care or care of other relatives paid so that a Councillor can attend Council meetings.

What is the work load of a Councillor?

Taking on a community leadership role also means taking on extra work – there are Council agendas, papers and reports to read, meetings to attend, and community events to go to. The work of a Councillor also involves getting out and about in the community and talking to people who live and work in the area about their views and how they want to be represented.

Want to know more?

Contact the NSW Electoral Commission on 1300 135 736.