New counting system for Local Government elections

...This year, for the first time, there is a new counting system for Local Government elections and will require the ballot paper to be numbered in every box, from 1 to the number of all the candidates on the ballot paper. The new count system is called Preferential or Proportional Representation, click here for more information, and is used for Senate counts in Federal elections and the Legislative Council in State elections. Previously, Local Government elections had the First Past the Post method which involved ticking the boxes on the ballot paper. This is no longer acceptable.

If you will be away over the election period make sure you get your postal voting package returned in good time, it has to be received by 6pm Saturday, 20 October 2007...

as posted on WAEC site please visit the site to follow the links as posted

Ordinary Local Government Elections

Local Government elections are held every two years to elect half the compliment of Councillors who represent the local community. The next ordinary Local Government election will be held Saturday 20 October 2007.

The City of Gosnells holds Postal Elections, which are conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission.

Membership of the City of Gosnells Council
The membership of the Council of the City of Gosnells is made up of 12 Councillors who each serve a four year term. Every two years the term of six Councillors expires and an election is held so that a new Council can be formed.

There are four main stages of electing a new Council –
Nominations from people wanting to become Councillors on the Council (candidates)
Campaigning by the candidates
Voting by electors (local community members)
Vote counting to determine which candidates will become Councillors (elected members)
At a Special Council Meeting following the election the newly formed Council will elect a Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Role of Mayor
The Mayor provides leadership and guidance to the community, presides at Council meetings, and represents the Council on formal occasions as well as representing the interests of electors, ratepayers and residents of the district.

Role of Councillors
Elected Councillors represent the interests of electors, ratepayers and residents of the district, provide leadership and guidance, and facilitate communication between the community and the Council as well as participating in the local government’s decision making processes at Council and Committee meetings.

VOTING ELIGIBILITY - ELECTORS
The Local Government Act determines how the Council is elected. Generally speaking, the people who live in, or own property in the local government area can choose who they want to have on the local Council by voting in Council elections. People with a right to vote at a local government election are known as "electors".

You are eligible to be enrolled to vote at Local Government elections if you reside in or are an owner or occupier of rateable property in the district of the City of Gosnells.

Residents
You are automatically enrolled to vote if you were on the State electoral roll.

Owners and Occupiers / Joint Owners and Occupiers / Corporations
People who did not appear on the State electoral roll but own or occupy property within the district of the City of Gosnells who successfully completed an enrolment eligibility claim form and are included on the City’s Owners and Occupiers Roll will be enrolled to vote. To be eligible persons must have met the prescribed eligibility requirements including being enrolled as an elector on a State or Federal roll. A body corporate could also nominate eligible individuals to be included on the Owners and Occupiers roll.

WARDS
The City of Gosnells is divided into three Wards each having four Councillor representatives. The three Wards are as follows:

Canning Vale
Thornlie and Canning Vale

Bickley
Beckenham, Kenwick, Langford, Maddington, Martin and Orange Grove

Gosnells
Gosnells, Huntingdale and Southern River

COUNCILLORS WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE IN OCTOBER 2007
The City is divided into three Wards, each having four representatives and as such every two years the term of six Councillors expires resulting in two 4-year term vacancies in each Ward.

The following Councillors terms will expire in October 2007:

Bickley Two 4-year term vacancies
Cr R (Ron) Mitchell
Cr P (Pauline) Wainwright

Canning Vale Two 4-year term vacancies
Vacant
Cr W (Wayne) Barrett

Gosnells Two 4-year term vacancies
Vacant
Cr MC (Carol) Matison OAM

POSTAL VOTING
Prior to the 20 October 2007 Postal Election the Electoral Commissioner will send out an election package to all electors (eligible voters) of the City. The package will consist of:

Profiles of each of the Ward candidates
Ballot paper
A ballot envelope, with an elector’s certificate attached
A postage pre-paid envelope addressed to the Returning Officer
An instruction envelope
All electors are encouraged to vote and then post their completed ballot paper and elector certificate to the Western Australian Electoral Commission or deliver to the City of Gosnells Administration Office (polling place) by no later than 6pm on Election Day. The votes will be counted on polling day (20 October 2007).

as posted on COGSite

Council Meeting Information

Due to Technical Difficulties the following documents are unable to be published at this time and will be uploaded as soon as possible.

Minutes of the 14 August 2007 Ordinary Council Meeting and
Agenda and Appendices for 28 August 2007 Ordinary Council Meeting

If you have any queries please Contact Emma Davison, Coordinator Governance on 9391 3267 or via email: edavison@gosnells.wa.gov.au

as posted on COG website

Letter to Council from Concerned Resident

City of Gosnells
P O Box 662
GOSNELLS WA 6990
Attention: City Planning Administration

Dear Sir / Madam

Re: Amendment No.75 to Town Planning Scheme No.6

Please find enclosed a copy of a letter that was distributed around the immediate area surrounding the vacant land, and development sites adjacent to Forrest Lakes Shopping Precinct.

Total number of letters distributed - 450.

The reasons for distribution being:

* To draw to the attention of the residents in the immediate area, the intentions of Gosnells City Council, the Owner of the land, and the Developer.
* To provide information to those in a wider area surrounding Forrest Lakes Shopping Precinct than that of the Gosnells City Council’s own distribution letters dated 10th July 2007 and 13th July 2007.
* Distribution notices by Gosnells City Council (dated above) provided little information regarding this important Amendment proposal.
* During distribution and talking to some local residents, it was found that many people had no notification from Gosnells City Council regarding the above proposed Amendment, and therefore, had no knowledge.
* It was felt necessary, because of the importance of such a proposal, that the Gosnells City Council should have been obligated to draw comment and/or objections from all Forest Lakes and Thornlie residents.
* It is hoped that Gosnells City Council will consider in the future, taking comment and/or objections from a wider spectrum of the community.
* This letter is provided for your information.

Thank you for your attention regarding this matter.

Concerned Resident
Towncentre Drive
Thornlie

FELLOW RESIDENTS ....

Have you recently received letters from Gosnells City Council concerning proposed amendments to the re-zoning of the vacant land adjacent to the Forest Lakes Shopping Complex?

Do you understand the implications of going from a R30 rating to a R80 rating?

Do you want to be living in an area with high density living – with 3, and possibly 4 storey buildings?

This IS what is being proposed. But wait - there’s more.

Presently, there is approximately 1 hectare of land being discussed in this amendment proposal. Did you know that there is a definite possibility of a FURTHER 2 hectares which could be subject to future R80 development plans?

Of the land available to the owner and developer in this proposal for R80 re-zoning application, there is an area of approximately (1ha = 10,000 sq/m) 1350 Square Metres, plus an additional 9500 Square Metres - portion of Lot 9005 – that “would facilitate a substantial R80 density development” (quote / unquote. Reference: Ordinary Council Meeting - Minutes – 24 April 2007)

PLUS the further possible 2ha mentioned above in the future.

(Reference: Ordinary Council Meeting – Minutes - 24 April 2007)

That is a large proportion of the available space which could be occupied by “a combination of 3 and 4 storey multiple dwelling/apartment style buildings” (quote / unquote. Reference: Ordinary Council Meeting - Minutes 24 April 2007)

Residential R80 Density

High Density Code R80, multiple dwelling, can have a minimum site area per dwelling of 125 square metres. (Reference: Table 1 General Site Requirements – Residential Design Codes of Western Australia - R Codes)

I urge you to read the full amendment report on www.gosnells.wa.gov.au

(Go to: Home page / News / Have your Say /Amendment No.75 to Town Planning Scheme No.6)

Further information can accessed through unaffiliated website cogmeetingsandevents.blogspot.com

Don’t let this application proposal be allowed to be passed by the Council unopposed.

I, for one, would wish that any proposal of future development to be of a benefit to the wider community, with height restrictions sympathetic and complimentary to the existing surrounding developments, and I will be lodging my objections accordingly.

Please note:
Comments / objections must be lodged to Gosnells City Council by 22nd August 2007.

PLEASE JOIN ME

Concerned Resident, Towncentre Drive, Thornlie.

as distributed to local letterboxes