Townsville City Council to seek by-election for Division 10

Townsville City Council has today resolved to ask the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) to conduct a by-election to fill the vacant councillor position in Division 10.

Mayor Jenny Hill said the vacancy in Division 10 was created by former councillor Les Walker’s election to State Parliament in the October election.

“Council has said from the start that it would comply with the relevant legislation in filling the vacancy, which was formally created when Mr Walker was elected as the Member for Mundingburra a few weeks ago,” Cr Hill said.

“In-line with the legislation, Council has today held a special meeting to empower the Chief Executive Officer to notify the Electoral Commission of the vacancy.

“Council has also agreed to ask the Commission to undertake a by-election to fill the vacancy.

“This option was made available to councils through amendments made to the Local Government Act, which were passed by State Parliament last week and restored laws that were in-place at the local government election in March which gave councils the option of a by-election to fill a subsequent vacancy.”

Cr Hill said Council’s decision to hold a by-election ensured Division 10 residents would decide who would represent them on Council for the next three years.

“Through this decision, Council is putting the interests of Division 10 residents first by allowing them to choose their new councillor,” she said.

“This is the very essence of democracy.”