R e f e r e n d u m Q u e s t i o n T w o

T h e “ Y E S ” C a s e• Dungog currently has an elected representative for

approximately every 1000 population. The averageregional community has approximately an electedrepresentative for every 7500 population. A yes votewould result in a change to approximately one electedrepresentative for every 1200 people.

• Reduction in number of Councillors may lead togreater cohesion and improved decision making.

• Reduction in number of Councillors will provideongoing cost saving for the Council.

T h e “ N O ” C a s e• The smaller number of Councillors would make it

elected.• Reduced numbers of Councillors may mean

that electors may feel that they are not adequately

the elected members.

R e f e r e n d u m Q u e s t i o n O n e

Independent analysis of the “Yes” and “No” case for a popularly elected Mayor was previously conducted in 2012 by the Western Research Institute at Charles Sturt

T h e “ Y E S ” C a s eThe Mayor should be decided directly by the voters

• Give predictability to the Council’s leadership and

• The Mayor would be able to provide leadership,

long term planning and policy setting• Give residents an opportunity to consider Mayoral

candidates’ policies and vote accordingly• Avoid the possibility of a Mayor being elected “out of a

hat” in the event of two or more Councillors receivingequal votes.

T h e “ N O ” C a s eThe elected Council should choose the leader of the

•candidates

• Councillors should have the option of assessing the Mayor every two years to be able to change the person

develops• If the Mayor resigned or vacated the position for any

reason, the community will have to meet the high

• Voters may choose a Mayor based on their popularityand not on their ability.

R e f e r e n d u m Q u e s t i o n T h r e e

T h e “ Y E S ” C a s e•

candidates standing for election.• Elected Councillors represent all residents and

ratepayers.• Councillors must be fullly familiar with matters across

the whole Shire not only their ward. This may result inbetter decisions.

T h e “ N O ” C a s e• May result in some geographical areas without a local

elected representative.• May increase Councillors workload and capacity to

communicate across the larger area.• May result in community confusion as to who to

access to have a local matter addressed.• May result in the need for a whole of Council election

Council.• A perception that access to Councillors is reduced as

they may live further away or the majority mayrepresent a particular group or interest rather than alocal area.

M A K E Y O U R V O T E C O U N T

U N D E R S T A N D I N G T H E R E F E R E N D U M

K N O WT H E

F A C T SA N D M A K E I N F O R M E D

D E C I S I O N S T H I SE L E C T I O N D AY

D u n g o g S h i r e C o u n c i l1 9 8 D o w l i n g S t r e e t

D U N G O G N S W 2 4 2 0

w w w. d u n g o g . n s w. g o v. a u

Y O U R V O T E W I L L D E C I D EVoters in the Dungog Shire will be asked to vote on three questions in a Constitutional Referendum on Local Government Election day, being the 9 September 2017.

W h a t i s a R e f e r e n d u m ?A Referendum is a general vote by the electorate. In this case, there are three Referendum questions.The constitutional referendum will determine the basis

represent the Dungog Shire and determine if there are Wards or not within the Dungog Shire. The result of the Constitutional Referendum is binding upon a Council. This means whatever the voters decide must be implemented by the Council at the 2020 Council Election.

W h o p a r t i c i p a t e s i n t h e R e f e r e n d u m ?All voters within the Dungog LGA will participate in the Referendum. It will be managed as part of the Local Government Elections on 9 September 2017. Participation in the Referendum is compulsory for all voters.

W h a t d o o t h e r C o u n c i l s d o ?NSW Councils either have the councillors elect the Mayor from within the Councillors or the voters elect the Mayor. Where the Mayor is elected by the community, the Mayor is “elected by popular vote” that is directly elected by voters. In this situation, the optional preferential method of voting is used.

9 September 2017Authorised by: S Chandler 198 Dowling St Dungog NSW 2420