Dubbo Regional Councillors met for an Extraordinary Meeting on Thursday 21 October 2021, 2pm.
Council had before it, a rescission motion dated 28 September 2021 from Councillors A Jones, D Grant and G Mohr, to rescind the resolution regarding the referendum to remove the ward system.
Council noted the rescission motion, however, following a vote, the motion was unsuccessful.
Dubbo Region Mayor, Stephen Lawrence said the meeting included solid debate from both sides. “The rescission motion was unsuccessful, however there was good discussion from Councillors for and against the matter. It was expected that we would have open and public debate about the ward system as councillors, but it’s now up to the region to decide. When our residents visit the polling booths this December, they will be presented with the referendum question which will shape the future of our region’s local government elections from 2024,” said Councillor Lawrence.
The resolution now stands from the outcomes of the September Ordinary Meeting; That the following question be put to the Dubbo Regional Council electors as a referendum question: Currently Dubbo Regional Council is divided into five wards that elect 10 councillors in total; do you favour abolishing this ward system in favour of a single area consisting of all voters that elects 11 councillors?
“It’s important to note that this question will be presented to voters at the polling booths this December, however the ward system is still in place for this upcoming election, so it’s essential residents familiarise themselves with the ward they need to vote in and their candidates,” said Councillor Lawrence.
For information on the local government elections including the wards and key dates visit dubbo.nsw.gov.au/localgovernmentelections
