At this year's Local Government election on 14 September 2024 you'll be asked to vote for your Ward Councillors and asked to vote in a Constitutional Referendum. The election and referendum will be conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission.

NSW Local Government election 2024

This next Local Government election is on 14 September 2024. There are currently 15 councillors serving a population of 53,496 across five wards.For information about your current elected representatives and their role see Mayor and Councillors and to find the ward you live in, use our interactive map.

For more information on how and where to vote visit the NSW Electoral Commission website. For important dates see key dates on this page.

    Constitutional Referendum

    In addition to voting for your elected representatives on 14 September 2024 you will be asked to respond to a Constitutional Referendum on reducing the number of councillors from 15 to 9.

    The referendum question is:

    "Do you favour reducing the total number of Councillors from 15 to 9?"

    Please note that a reduction in the number of councillors will result in a reduction of wards across the Woollahra Council Local Government Area, likely to be a reduction of 5 wards to 3.

    You will be prompted to vote Yes or No.

    On 13 May 2024 (see page 240) Council resolved to hold a binding Constitutional Referendum at the 14 September Local Government election, asking residents whether they favour reducing the total number of Councillors from 15 to 9, which would also see a reduction of wards in our Local Government Area likely to be from 5 to 3. Read the Mayor's statement.

    If the majority of electors vote yes to this proposal at the upcoming election, the reduction would come into effect for the term of Council commencing in 2028.

    Voting in the election and referendum is compulsory for Australian citizens over the age of 18 years.

    In relation to how to vote in the Constitutional Referendum here are some considerations in response to the referendum question:

    For:

    • Reducing the number of Councillors might make decision-making faster and easier
    • Reducing the number of Councillors will provide an ongoing cost saving for Council.

    Against:

    • Having fewer Councillors might make electors feel underrepresented
    • Having fewer Councillors might result in less diversity and fewer viewpoints on the Council.


    Woollahra Local Government Area Wards

    The Woollahra municipality, or local government area, has a population of 53,496 and is divided into five wards, with three councillors elected for each ward:

    • Bellevue Hill Ward
    • Cooper Ward
    • Double Bay Ward
    • Paddington Ward
    • Vaucluse Ward

    Find out which ward you live in (map).

    A Councillor’s role and responsibilities

    Councillors are the governing body of a council similar to the way that a Board of Directors is the governing body of a private corporation.

    Councillors are expected to represent the views of the whole community, including residents and ratepayers while making decisions in the community's interests, demonstrate conduct that the community expects and deserves, and plan and oversee the running of a significant and complex business of Council.

    One of the most important roles of a councillor is to participate in policy decision-making on behalf of the community. Councillors ideally work as a team to create and review council's policies that guide the activities of the council.

    Councillors also provide leadership and guidance to the community, and help communication between the community and the council.

    Are you interested in becoming a councillor? We're hosting two free in-person information sessions on 26 June at 2pm (register here) and 6pm (register here). The NSW Electoral Commission will also host an information session on 27 June from 11am-12:30pm. Register here. Nominations close Wednesday 14 August, 12pm.

    We will hold an induction program for Councillors elected at the upcoming election. Find out more about becoming a Councillor and our Induction Program dates.

    More information

    For more information on the Local Government elections and Constitutional Referendum visit the NSW Electoral Commission website.