Twelve candidates are standing for election to the Narrandera Shire Council, including eight of the existing councillors and a former councillor who is seeking re-election.

The new candidates are Anthony Marsh, Andrew Jamieson and Cameron Rouse, while former councillor Bob Manning is standing after a previous term on council.

Cr Kevin Morris of Barellan is not seeking re-election to council this time.

The candidates are:

• Anthony Marsh
• Narelle Payne
• Jenny Clarke
• Andrew Jamieson
• Bob Manning
• Peter Dawson
• Cameron Lander
• Tracey Lewis
• Neville Kschenka
• Braden Lyons
• Susan Ruffles
• Cameron Rouse

While Narrandera voters will have a chance to elect their representatives on council not all Riverina voters will get to have a say on who represents them on the local council, as several electorates failed to get enough candidates for a contested election.

Murrumbidgee East and Lockhart Ward A are among those where local government elections will be uncontested.

Uncontested elections apply where only the required number of candidates (or less) have been nominated.

Unless there are mayoral elections, referenda or polls also being held, voters enrolled in these council areas or wards are not required to vote in the upcoming Local Government elections.

Berrigan, Cowra and Junee Councils and Lachlan – Ward E have received fewer candidate nominations than the number of councillors required for their councils, and a by-election will be held to fill those vacancies at a later date.

While voters enrolled in these council areas or wards are not required to vote in the September Local Government elections, voting in subsequent by-elections is compulsory.

The NSW Electoral Commission has announced the ballot order for candidates in the state’s local government elections to be held on September 14.

In Wagga 61 candidates are vying for nine councillor positions. Voters in Junee and several other of the region’s electorates won’t be casting their vote as there were insufficient nominations to contest the elected positions.

Junee voters will not need to vote as only eight nominations were received to fill nine councillor positions. The elected councillors will be Pam Halliburton, Ingrid Eyding, David Carter, Matt Austin, Bob Callow, Marie Knight, Andrew Clinton and Robin Asmus.

However, Junee voters will have their say on the final councillor through a by-election which the commission said will be announced at a later date.

Voters in Murrumbidgee council’s Jerilderie and East wards will also not go to the polls as candidates equalled the number of spots up for grabs.

Candidates Faith Bryce, Ruth McRae and Troy Mauger will represent the Jerilderie ward and Christine Chirgwin, Timothy Strachan and Robert Black will represent the East ward.

Lockhart voters in the western ward (Ward A) will also not be voting as Frances Day, Robert Mathews and Erica Jones were the only candidates.

Those in Greater Hume’s East Ward, which includes Holbrook, will be represented by Tony Quinn, Lea Parker and Kerry Morton.

For residents in the region’s other electorates, voting in the local government election is compulsory.

Postal vote applications can be made through the NSW Electoral Commission website or via phone, applications close August 19.

Pre-poll venues will be open a week before the election from September 7 (except September 8).

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 22 August 2024.