Local Government Election

Please note: the map  above will come into effect for the next local government election on 14 September 2024. Please find the current  ward boundary map here.

Local government election

The next local government election in Port Stephens will be held on Saturday, 14 September 2024. Further information about polling places and pre-poll locations will be made available closer to election day.

The 2024 Port Stephens Council local government election will be administered by the NSW Electoral Commission. For more information about the election including key dates and the nomination process, please visit NSW Electoral Commission or by phone on 1300 135 736

The election will be conducted to elect a popularly elected Mayor and 9 councillors.  Of the 9 councillors, there are 3 elected from each Ward across the local government area: East Ward, Central Ward and West Ward. View the ward boundary map that will come into effect at the next election in September 2024.

Contact

Governance Section Manager/Public Officer
Phone: 4988 0255 
Fax: 4988 0130
Email: council@portstephens.nsw.gov.au
Address: PO Box 42, Raymond Terrace NSW 2324

Residents of the Port Stephens Council local government area can vote at this election. Please check or update your electoral details with the Australian Electoral Commission.

The non-residential rolls provide an opportunity for those people who are non-resident owners, occupiers and rate-paying lessees of rateable land with the Port Stephens local government area to apply to vote at the next local government election. Please remember you can only vote once in the Port Stephens local government election.

There are 2 non-residential rolls:

  • Individual owners — the roll of non-resident owners of rateable land or occupiers and ratepaying lessees.  If there are 2 or more owners, please complete the 'joint/several application form.  Only 1 owner is entitled to claim inclusion on the non-resident roll.  The application form for individual owners is available here.
  • Joint/several owners — the roll of occupiers and rate-paying lessees. The application form for joint/several owners is available here.

Applications closed at 6pm on Monday, 5 August 2024. For more information about eligibility, management of rolls and whether voting is compulsory, visit NSW Electoral Commission.

Make diversity count in local government!  If you're thinking about standing for Council in the next local government election, visit NSW Office of Local Government for more information.

The Office of Local Government provides information ifor those thinking about becoming a councillor, please visit their website here. There is also a great on-line interactive tool for those interested in being a councillor -  Becoming a councillor - information and guide.

The State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 details when electoral signage is not permitted. Further information is available here.

In addition to the information above, please also visit the NSW Electoral Commission's website for all election signage requirements.

Council is required to provide public access to the disclosure declarations lodged with the NSW Electoral Commission by Mayor and Councillors. This is in accordance with:

  • Local Government and Planning Legislation Amendment (Political Donations) Act 2009
  • Local Government Act 1993
  • Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

The disclosure declarations are required to be lodged with the NSW Electoral Commission by the Mayor and each Councillor within the Commission's specified timeframe.

The NSW Electoral Commission is responsible for regulating compliance with electoral funding legislation (Electoral Funding Act 2018). This includes the disclosure of political donations and electoral expenditure by local government councillors and mayors, and candidates and groups registered for the 2024 NSW Local Government elections to be held on 14 September 2024.

The disclosure rules require candidates and elected councillors to disclose political donations twice a year and electoral expenditure annually. Some individuals will be required to submit multiple disclosures if, in addition to being a candidate, they are the lead candidate of a group and/or an elected councillor or mayor.

The Commission understands first-time candidates may not be familiar with their disclosure obligations. With the next disclosure lodgement period commencing on 1 July 2024, they are making contact at this early stage to highlight the NSW Electoral Commission’s role in promoting compliance with the requirements of the disclosure scheme and to raise awareness about the information that the Electoral Commission can provide to political participants. The Commission will also remind candidates and councillors of their disclosure obligations ahead of due dates, and  they will continue to contact them before, during and after the election about what they need to do.

There is detailed information on the NSW Electoral Commission's  website about: