So you want to be a Councillor?

Livingstone Shire Council is hosting an information session on Tuesday, 28 March 2023, for members of the community who intend to nominate themselves for the upcoming councillor vacancy, following the resignation of Councillor Nigel Hutton.

The session will take place from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at The Hub in James Street, Yeppoon, and is open to anyone interested in civic leadership and representing their community.

Mayor Andy Ireland emphasized the importance of attending the session to learn about the responsibilities and requirements of serving on the council, as well as the application process.

“This is an excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding of Livingstone Shire Council, the role of a councillor, and the skills and knowledge required to serve effectively,” Mayor Ireland said.

The information session will also feature a representative from the Queensland Government who will provide information about the online course ‘So You Want to be a Councillor?’, which is designed to help aspiring councillors prepare for their role.

Applications for the councillor vacancy will open on Friday, 31 March 2023, and will be accepted until 5.00 pm on Friday, 7 April 2023.

To be considered for the position, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Nomination for Councillor Vacancy information package, reside within the Livingstone Shire boundaries, and fulfill the requirements of the Local Government Act 2009.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the application requirements on Council’s Get Involved platform and attend the information session to ask any questions they may have.

To register for the information session please email executivesupport@livingstone.qld.gov.au

Livingstone Shire Council has today endorsed the nomination process for filling the upcoming councillor vacancy created by the resignation of Councillor Nigel Hutton.

Cr Hutton’s resignation as councillor takes effect from 31 March 2023 and as there is less than 12 months until the next local government election, by law the vacancy is to be filled by inviting nominations.

Individuals who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Nomination for Councillor Vacancy information package can register as a candidate and be considered for appointment until the end of the current electoral term in March 2024.

To be considered for this position, candidates must reside within the Livingstone Shire boundaries and meet the conditions outlined in the Local Government Act 2009.

Applications open online at 8.30 am on Friday, 31 March 2023 and close at 5.00 pm on Friday, 7 April 2023.

In the meantime, intending candidates can view the application requirements on Council’s Get Involved platform to consider whether they wish to be a nominee and to start preparing their application.

More information about the appointment process is available on Livingstone Shire Council’s Get Involved website: https://getinvolved.livingstone.qld.gov.au/

Nigel Hutton has today announced his intention to resign as an elected councillor of Livingstone Shire Council effective 31 March 2023.

Mayor Andy Ireland thanked Cr Hutton for his significant contribution to the Livingstone community over an extended period.

“Nigel has been a community champion and volunteer for much of his adult life, including over nine years in elected public office,” Mayor Ireland said.

“He was an active part of the campaign to restore Livingstone Shire Council’s identity in 2014 and has been a strong force within the Council Chamber since being elected as a councillor at that time."

Cr Hutton was first elected as councillor in 2014 and has served in a number of councillor portfolios, including as Deputy Mayor from 2018 to 2020.

As Cr Hutton’s resignation takes effect in the final 12 months of the current electoral term, there will not be a by-election and, instead, the remaining councillors will appoint a suitable candidate to fill the casual vacancy until the March 2024 local government elections.

Announcements about the process of filling the vacancy will be made once councillors have had the opportunity to consider things formally at their next meeting.

“By giving two months’ notice of his resignation, Cr Hutton has allowed councillors to fully consider how they wish to go about appointing his replacement,” Mayor Ireland said.

“It will also give any intending candidates time to duly consider whether they wish to be a nominee for the vacancy.

“And this extra time also gives us the opportunity to properly recognise Cr Hutton’s contribution to public life before he finishes up with us at the end of March.”