If there is a vacancy on Inverell Shire Council in the next 18 months there will not be a by-election.
Inverell Shire Council has voted to notify the NSW Electoral Commissioner that should a vacancy occur within 18 months of the September 14 election, the countback method be used whereby the next person who would have been elected steps into the role.
General Manager Brett McInnes reported that a by-election would cost considerably more than a countback, citing an estimated $152,000 to conduct last month’s general council election.
And in another change for the new council, future ordinary meetings will commence at 11am on the 4th Wednesday of each month instead of the current 3pm.
This December’s meeting will be held on the 18th of December because of the Christmas break, and Inverell Shire traditionally does not meet in January.
