General News
25 March, 2020
Local council elections still going ahead
Queensland’s council elections will go ahead this Saturday
Queensland’s council elections will go ahead this Saturday, March 28
We are being urged to bring our own pens and there will be no sausage sizzle but the Government has said that the local council elections will still go ahead.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Public Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill allowed the Government and the Electoral Commission of Queensland to better respond to the latest expert advice as it emerges.
The latest expert medical advice is that there is no need to change the date for the local government elections or the by-elections.
“We don’t take these steps lightly,” the Minister said.
“Local government plays an essential role in delivering services and supporting communities, and we need to ensure these needs are being met.
“We will always listen to the latest exert medical advice and act on that advice.”
Despite widespread shutdowns associated with the coronavirus pandemic people are being urged to vote early.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young said the majority of people had already voted ahead of the March 28 poll.
“I would strongly encourage people in the remaining week prior to pre-poll vote,” Dr Young said.
She urged voters to bring their own pen, maintain a 1.5-metre distance from others, go into the voting booths, make their decision and leave.
“Don’t hang around,” she said.
“Normally our voting process is a very social event, we have sausage sizzles, we have fetes, we have all sorts of things.
“They are not happening this time so people just go straight in, vote, and straight out.”
However, anyone who is sick, in quarantine or isolation, is asked not to attend.
In addition, the ECQ is encouraging electors that are more vulnerable to COVID-19, including Queenslanders aged 60 and over, to vote early between 9am and 11am each day.
Additional ECQ staff will be available to provide support for vulnerable electors during the voting process.
If you prefer to avoid the crowds then early voting is available until Friday, March 27. Voting is compulsory for all residents over the age of 18.
To vote early in the MSC elections:
Kuranda CWA Hall, 20 Thongon Street, Kuranda.
The Cedric Davies Community Hub 41B Anzac Ave, Mareeba.
The returning officer for the Mareeba Shire is Suzanne Temple.
41B Anzac AVE, Mareeba - 1300 881 665
To vote early in the TRC elections:
19 James Street, Malanda,
St Marys Anglican Church, 36 Alice St, Atherton,
The returning officer for the Tablelands shire is Vittorio Falvo
St Marys Anglican Church, 36 - 38 Alice ST, Atherton - 1300 881 665
Telephone voting
The ECQ is also providing eligible voters, including those who identify as having an impairment, disability or a low level of literacy with access to telephone voting. Those eligible must register to cast a vote via telephone.
To register for telephone voting, phone 1300 912 782 and select option 1
To cast a telephone vote, phone 1300 912 782 and select option 2
The call centre will open from 9am to 5pm during early voting, with the hours being extended to 6pm on Friday, 27 March 2020 and will be open from 8am to midday on election day (Saturday, 28 March 2020).
For further information prior to the opening of registrations, please call 1300 881 665.
On election day you can vote at:
MSC
Biboohra State School, 2 Petersen Street, BIBOOHRA
Chillagoe State School, 9 Cathedral Street, CHILLAGOE
Dimbulah State School, 48‐50 Kennedy Street, DIMBULAH
Herberton Shire Hall, Cnr Grace and William Streets, HERBERTON
Julatten State School, 1141 Euluma Creek Road, JULATTEN
CWA Hall, 20 Thongon Street, KURANDA
Mareeba State School, 3/37 Constance Street, MAREEBA
Mareeba State High School, 17‐37 Jasper Street, MAREEBA WEST
Mount Molloy CWA Hall, Main Street, MOUNT MOLLOY
Mutchilba State School, 33 Marsterson Street, MUTCHILBA
Speewah Fire Shed, Cnr Speewah Road and William Smith Drive, SPEEWAH
TRC
Division 1
Merriland Hall, Robert Street, ATHERTON
Division 2
Herberton Shire Hall, Cnr Grace and William Streets, HERBERTON
Mount Garnet QCWA Hall, 16 Garnet Street, MOUNT GARNET
Ravenshoe State School, F Block Hall, Jr School Campus, Ascham Street, RAVENSHOE
Division 3
Malanda State School, 24 Mary Street, MALANDA
Millaa Millaa State School, 1 Beech Street, MILLAA MILLAA
Division 4
Kairi State School, 2 McGeehan Street, KAIRI
Yungaburra State School, 4 Maple Street, YUNGABURRA
Division 5
Merriland Hall, Robert Street, ATHERTON
Atherton State High School, Maunds Road, ATHERTON
Division 6
Tolga State School, 35‐55 Main Street, TOLGA
Walkamin State School, 40 Wattle Street, WALKAMIN
For further information go www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/election-events/2020-local-government-elections