Council Elections 2008

• Am I eligible to vote?
• How do I enrol?
• The challenge of local government - Thinking of Becoming a Councillor?
• VEC Wins Election Services Tender
• Important Dates to Remember

The next Banyule City Council Election will be held on Saturday November 29, 2008 and will be conducted by attendance voting.  Early and postal voting will also be available.  Nominations for one councillor for each of the seven wards will open on 24 October and will close 29 October.

Am I eligible to vote?

To be eligible to vote you must be on the voters' roll by Friday, October 3, 2008. Remember voting is compulsory. Residents who are on the roll and do not vote may be fined $50.

You are already enrolled for this election if:

•  You are on the State and Federal electoral roll for your present address; or
•  You own property in Banyule but don't live there, and you are the first or second-named person on the Council's rate records;

You may apply to Council if you are at least 18 years of age on 29 November 2008 and:

• you are a non-Australian citizen who lives and pays rates in the municipality; or
• you pay rates on a property you occupy and have no other voting entitlement in the municipality (e.g. you are a shop tenant), and are either named on the Council's rates records to receive the rates notice or have the written consent of the owner to vote in their place; or
• you are a director or company secretary of a corporation that owns or rents property in Banyule.

Enrolment Application forms will be available shortly from Council Service Centres.

You need to enrol with the Electoral Commission if you are an Australian citizen aged 18 or over or you have changed your address without updating your enrolment details.

How do I enrol?

Download an enrolment form from the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) website at www.vec.vic.gov.au; or get one from your local post office, Coles supermarket, Centrelink office, or Australian Electoral Commission office.  Enrolment forms must be returned to the VEC by Friday, October 3, 2008 by 4.00pm for you to be included on the voters roll for the Council election.

To apply to enrol or to check the voters roll to see if your name is already included phone the VEC on 13 18 32 or Council on 9490 4222. TTY: 9432 7211 (text telephone).

The challenge of local government - Thinking of Becoming a Councillor?

Banyule City Council is committed to an extensive public information campaign leading up to the election.

A central element of this will be an information session for potential candidates to be held 4^th August 2008, commencing at 7pm to be held in the Council Chambers.  Key speakers will explain the qualifications for nominating, the role and function of a councillor and much more. The information session will provide a valuable insight into local government and will help participants to prepare for their campaign.

Local government presents an exciting challenge for elected representatives to participate in the management of the level of government that effects local well being and quality of life for citizens.

Being a councillor in local government offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of the community by making strategic choices about balancing costs, benefits, efficiency, effectiveness, economic growth, quality of life and social justice.

In most instances people who want to become a councillor will have to win their position in an election. The decision to become a candidate is a big step and it is advisable to prepare yourself well. Information is available from a number of sources, one of which is Council.

Local democracy presents a challenge and an opportunity for communities and individual citizens. Who will be chosen by their fellow citizens to take up the challenge will depend on many things including the kind of local economy, environment and the range and quality of services they want. There is no doubt that communities want their council to be made up of people with commitment, integrity and the capacity to lead.

Are you ready to take up the challenge? An information kit can be downloaded by clicking on the link below. If you require a hard copy of the information kit for potential candidates phone 9490 4222.   Further information on standing for council is also available on http://www.standforcouncil.com.au/

VEC Wins Election Services Tender

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has won the tender to conduct Banyule City Council elections in November 2008. The Commission was successful in the 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2005 Council elections. This experience together with procedural innovations will no doubt see the election conducted in a first class manner. The election will be held on 29 November this year and will be by attendance voting at a number of polling places in each ward. Council officers and the VEC will work together to increase voter awareness of the Council elections, and to make it easier for people to vote prior to the polling day. Details of the electoral office and contact number will be provided as they become available.

Important Dates to Remember

There are important dates to be noted in the lead up to the election, specifically nominations for candidates and availability of pre-poll voting. These are included in the timetable below: