Local Government Elections

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Postponement of the NSW Local Government elections

The Minister for Local Government has made an Order postponing the Local Government elections until Saturday, 4 December 2021.

A copy of the published Order can be found here.

The NSW Electoral Commission website and this page will be progressively updated as replanning of the elections is undertaken.

Previously, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NSW Government postponed the September 2020 local government elections to Saturday, 4 September 2021.

The current Councillors will continue to hold their civic offices until the election.

Information for Electors

Residential roll

The NSW Electoral Commission, in consultation with Hunter’s Hill Council, will administer the Local Government Elections for 2021. If you are a resident of the Hunters Hill local government area (LGA), you can check your enrolment details are up to date by visiting the NSW Electoral Commission website.

Non-residential roll

If you are not a resident of Hunters Hill, you may be entitled to vote if you own, occupy or lease property in the Hunter’s Hill Council local government area as a corporation, business or individual.

More information regarding the enrolment of non-residential electors can be found in the NSWEC fact sheet click here.

To apply for inclusion on the non-residential roll please complete one of the following forms and return to Council:

Application form for individual Application form for company/joint owners appointing a person on their behalf

Ward Boundaries

Hunter’s Hill Council will have seven Councillors to represent the community in two wards as shown on the ward map.

You can check you are enrolled to vote.

Or find your electorate (and ward) by address.

The Council presently has six councillors until the next local government election, following the resignation of Clr Mark Bennett in August 2020.

Key dates for Council Election


27 May 2021	Hunters Hill candidate briefing (see details below)
24 July 2021	New 4 December election date appointed by NSW Government
25 October 2021	Close of electoral rolls (6pm)
	Lodgement of nominations open
26 October 2021	Lodgement of postal vote applications open.
3 November 2021	Close of candidate nominations (12pm)
	Registration of electoral materials commences
November 2021	Caretaker period commences
22 November 2021	Pre-poll voting opens
26 November 2021	Registration of electoral material closes (5pm)
29 November 2021	Postal vote applications close (5pm)
3 December 2021	Close of pre-poll voting period
4 December 2021	Election day (8am-6pm)
17 December 2021	Return of postal votes closes (6pm)
21 December 2021	Progressive declaration of results

An election timetable can be found on the NSW Electoral Commission website under the heading ‘What are the key dates ?’.

Information for Candidates

Do you have an interest in representing your community at Hunter’s Hill Council?

If you’re considering nominating as a candidate for the 2021 NSW Local Government elections, you should read the information below (see Nominate as Mayor or a Councillor in the following dropdown section). It provides general guidance about the process of nominating, and candidates’ obligations and responsibilities. Prospective candidates should seek their own independent legal advice if they are unsure whether they are eligible to run for public office in a local council or how the law applies to their specific circumstances.

To nominate as a Mayor or Councillor you must lodge a nomination form, either by delivering it to the Returning Officer or by using the Electoral Commission’s online nomination system.

Nominating incorporates the following:

Part A – Candidate details
Part B – Nominator details
Part C – Candidate information sheet
Part D – Statistical information sheet and
A nomination deposit.

Grouping of Councillor candidates on the ballot paper

Two or more Councillor candidates may form a group on the ballot paper, and where eligible, request a group voting square (box above the line) be printed on the ballot paper for the group.

In addition to lodging the nomination form listed above, these candidates must also lodge a Request to form a group form.

Nomination deposit

All candidates must pay a nomination deposit of $125 each to the NSW Electoral Commission.

Where candidates also lodge a Request to form a group, the deposit is capped at $625 for a group of five candidates or more.

If using the online nominations system, the deposit must be paid by either MasterCard or VISA.

If using paper nomination forms, the nomination deposit must be paid by cash or bank or building society cheque.

Start your nomination now

The NSW Electoral Commission’s online nominations system is now available at elections.nsw.gov.au.

You can start the process of nominating online now.

Alternatively, paper nomination forms are available by calling the Commission’s candidate helpdesk on 1300 022 011.

Lodge your nomination

Nominations can be lodged online from Monday 26 July and close 12 noon, Wednesday 4 August. Late nominations will not be accepted.

However, if using paper nomination forms, you must lodge your nomination and deposit with the Returning Officer for the council area in which you intend to stand as a candidate. Returning Officer office locations can be found at elections.nsw.gov.au/lge21.

Registration for electoral funding purposes

NSW has strict laws that regulate the election campaign finances of political parties, candidates and groups at the election. These include requirements to operate a campaign account, and to record and disclose political donations and electoral expenditure. In addition, there are caps on political donations and electoral expenditure.

Prior to being nominated, candidates and groups can separately apply to the NSW Electoral Commission to be registered for electoral funding regulation purposes. Only once successfully registered is a candidate or group allowed to accept political donations and pay for electoral expenditure.

Forms for applying to be registered as a candidate or group are available on the Commission’s website. Online registration is also now available.

Applications for electoral funding purposes close on Wednesday 4 August 2021.

From 5 August 2021, all nominated candidates will be deemed to be registered and all will take on significant legal obligations for record-keeping and making disclosures. Even already-registered candidates who decide not to nominate will have some ongoing electoral funding law obligations.

To learn more go to elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure. Enquiries about being
registered and the laws that apply to political donations and electoral expenditure should be sent to fdc@elections.nsw.gov.au.

Candidate Handbook and webinars

A Candidate Handbook will be made available on the NSW Electoral Commission’s website.

Educational webinars which assist candidates in navigating the process are also available.

Ballot paper draw

A draw to determine the order of groups (where applicable) and names on the ballot paper will be conducted at the office of the relevant Returning Officer at 10am, Thursday 5 August 2021.

The ballot paper draw may be observed in person by candidates, representatives of registered political parties and the media, subject to the capacity of the Returning Officer’s office and COVID-19 safety measures. Attendees will be required to register their attendance via the Service NSW app and physical distancing requirements. Attendees may also be required to wear a face mask.

Further information:

Visit elections.nsw.gov.au
Email the candidate helpdesk candidates@elections.nsw.gov.au
Call the candidate helpdesk 1300 022 011.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment, please contact the NSW Electoral Commission through the National Relay Service (NRS). Choose your access option and ask for 1300 135 736.

If you need an interpreter, please call TIS National on 131 450 and ask them to call the NSW Electoral Commission on 1300 135 736.

A Candidate Briefing for anyone interested in becoming a councillor was held in Hunters Hill on Thursday 27 May 2021. Recordings of online information sessions conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission are available online. Prospective candidates are encouraged to view these information sessions. View past webinars and register your attendance for future webinars: Candidate information webinars.

For more information on how to become a councillor please visit the Office of Local Government website.

Nomination of candidates and registered political parties is administered by the NSW Electoral Commission. For more information regarding candidate eligibility, nomination processes, registered political parties, electoral material, expenditure and political donations, please contact the NSW Electoral Commission:

the NSW Electoral Commission candidate helpdesk telephone 1300 022 011;
email candidates@elections.nsw.gov.au; or
visit the NSW Electoral Commission website: elections.nsw.gov.au

NSW Electoral Commission Bulletin for Political Participants

In the lead up to the 2021 NSW Local Government elections the NSW Electoral Commissioner is publishing Bulletins to share information about the elections and provide political participants and councils with key information.

If you would like to receive new Bulletins by email as they are published, please email: NSWElectionsBulletins@elections.nsw.gov.au

Click here to read past bulletins.

Women in Local Government

The NSW Government is committed to inspiring and empowering more women to stand for their local community and nominate to run for their local council at the September 2021 elections. Please visit Women in Local Government – Stand for Your Community on the Office of Local Government website.

Local election work opportunities

Expressions of interest are now open to work at the upcoming Local Government Elections.

Working at an election is a great way for members of the community to earn money, learn new skills and deliver democracy by helping people to have their say.

There are positions available during the election period and on election day itself (4 September, 2021).

More information, including position descriptions, pay rates, and the link to apply, can be found on the NSW Electoral Commission website.

Further information will be uploaded on this page as it becomes available