Posted: February 13, 2012

The Election Commission Queensland (ECQ) has released a revised election timetable of all significant dates for the local government elections.

The release follows the Premier’s recent announcement that the State Government Elections will be held on 24 March 2012, subsequently delaying the Local Government elections until 28 April 2012.

Nominations for council candidates open Saturday 10 March 2012 and close noon Tuesday 27 March 2012.

CARETAKER PERIOD

The Local Government ‘caretaker period’ which precludes Council from making a ‘major policy decision’ begins on Saturday 10 March 2012 and ends at the conclusion of the elections.

A ‘major policy decision’ includes a decision about the appointment of a chief executive officer (CEO), the remuneration of a CEO, the termination of a CEO, entering any contract with a total value higher than $150,000 or more than 1% of the local governments’ net rate and utility charges.

VOTING

The election will be held on Saturday 28 April 2012. In the Southern Downs the election will be held by postal ballot, which means there will be no polling booths, instead each registered voter will receive a postal ballot paper in the mail in the weeks leading up to the election.

If you are a registered on the roll in Southern Downs you will receive voting papers automatically, you do not have to apply for them.

Postal votes must be completed before 6:00pm on Election Day and received by the Returning Officer at the Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ) before 6:00pm Tuesday 8 May 2012.

“It is very important that your details on the electoral role are correct, or you may miss your chance to vote,” said Cr Ron Bellingham.

Electoral rolls closed on 31 January 2012. If you have concerns about the accuracy of your details listed on the electoral role, contact ECQ as soon as possible or visit www.ecq.qld.gov.au.

ENDS

Media Contact: Janine Crawford, Corporate Communications, 07 4661 0305