The second information session for community members interested in nominating as candidates for the Central Coast Council election in September will be held on Tuesday, April 9, at Council’s Wyong Administration Building.
With the 2024 Local Government elections to be held on September 14, Central Coast Council is urging interested community members to take the opportunity to attend the information session to get an insight into what is required to be a councillor and the role of a governing body.
The first information session was held in October 2023 and attracted approximately 70 attendees, with materials available from this session on Council’s website.
This second event is expected to attract community members who are genuinely interested in taking the next step to play an important part in the future of how the Central Coast is served, governed and represented by Council.
A third session will be held in July, with further details to come.
Council’s Director of Corporate Services Marissa Racomelara said it’s important that people from all stages and walks of life consider running for election.
“This second information session will take a more in-depth look at what it means to be an elected councillor,” she said.
“Speakers including local government experts and former councillors will provide detailed information about the mechanics of how a council runs, the responsibilities of a councillor, how a councillor interacts with staff and their role in the public domain when representing Council.
“If you have a strong sense of community and are keen to make a difference, you should consider becoming a councillor.
“Local councils are the level of government closest to the community and provide key infrastructure, facilities and services to local residents – they are integral to building strong, resilient and connected communities.”
Guest speakers on the night will include former Mayor and Councillor (now Independent State MP) Michael Regan and local government expert Kath Roach.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said this second session was about getting into the finer details of what is involved when you step up to be a councillor, and how to appropriately prepare yourself to run for election.
“The first session was an information night, with no real expectations for people to commit themselves to running for election,” he said.
“However, I think we will see people who are genuinely interested in running as candidates at this next session.
“Like councils across the state, we are keen to improve diversity within our governing body to accurately represent and govern for a diverse and growing community.
“We encourage everyone in our communities, including women, younger people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, members of multicultural communities and members of LGBTQIA+ communities who have been traditionally underrepresented as elected representatives to consider becoming a candidate.
“To boost diversity and increase representation of women on Council, we are engaging the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) to run their widely successful Getting Women Elected forum for female candidates across the Central Coast.
“More details about this forum and upcoming candidate information sessions will be announced in due course.
“There will also be an open Q&A session at the April 9 event, for any questions to be asked of the expert panel, and of course Council’s governance team will be available after the meeting if you have any other questions or would like any further information.”
The session will be held on Tuesday, April 9, with refreshments served from 5.30pm and the session itself to run from 6-8.30pm.
For more information and to register to attend go to https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/about-council/council/election-and-referendum
Up-to-date information for aspiring councillors from diverse backgrounds is available via the NSW Office of Local Government website: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/programs-and-initiatives/local-government-elections-4-december-2021/become-a-councillor/