Redland City Council will take control of its 2016 Council election, potentially saving ratepayers close to $100,000 per election.
Redland City Council Organisational Services General Manager Nick Clarke said changes to the Local Government Electoral Act 2011 meant councils could once again conduct their own elections, as was the case prior to 2008.
“Early indications are that conducting the election ourselves will save ratepayers in the order of $100,000 in 2016 and should enable us to be more responsive to the voters’ needs,” Mr Clarke said.
“Redland City Council has been very successful in managing its own elections in the past, including the most recent election Council managed in 2004 and we are delighted the State Government has decided to change the legislation so that this can occur again.
“Under the legislation, the CEO will act as returning officer for the elections and will appoint other appropriately qualified people to assist.
Mr Clarke said under the Local Government Act 2009, Council was also required to review its divisional boundaries.
“The Act requires Council to review its boundaries and make a submission to the Local Government Minister and the Electoral Commissioner by 1 March 2015,” Mr Clarke said.
“We want to make sure our residents are equally represented across the city and are receiving the best possible outcomes from Council and this divisional boundary review will help ensure this is the case.
“This review and recommendations will form a report to Council in February 2015 and may result in some changes to divisional boundaries prior to the 2016 elections.”
