The role of Council Member is rewarding and challenging, and can often be time consuming, demanding and complex but it also will give you an opportunity to contribute to the community and influence decisions that shape the future.
Council Members have the opportunity to:
- provide leadership and guidance to the whole community
- facilitate communication between community and the Council
- help determine and review policy
- influence the local government planning for the future
- help to ensure the community gets the best possible value from its assets
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website provides more information on the role of council member.
Council members have a duty to attend all council meetings to ensure that electors are adequately represented. Under the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act), a councillor who is absent from three consecutive ordinary council meetings without leave being granted by the council is automatically disqualified. If a member needs to be absent for more than six consecutive ordinary meetings, Ministerial approval is necessary as well as council approval.
The City of Armadale has the following vacancies in the 2025 Election.
|
Ward |
Vacancy |
Term |
|
|
||
|
Heron Ward |
1 Seat |
4 Year |
|
Lake Ward |
1 Seat |
4 Year |
|
Minnawarra Ward |
1 Seat |
4 Year |
|
Palomino Ward |
1 Seat |
4 Year |
|
Ranford Ward |
1 Seat |
4 Year |
|
River Ward |
1 Seat |
4 Year |
Who can nominate as a candidate?
To stand for election as a Council Member, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older;
- Be an elector of the City of Armadale;
- Be on the Australian Electoral Role
- Complete the mandatory candidate induction.
You do not need to be an elector within the ward for which you are standing.
Interested candidates should contact the Returning Officer to discuss their nomination.
A mandatory candidate induction must be completed prior to nomination.
Candidates will need to make a valid application accompanied with an $100.00 deposit to the Returning Officer during the to be announced nomination period in 2025.
The Returning Officer for the Local Government Elections is appointed by the Western Australian Electoral Commission.
Local government councillors should develop the following skills, abilities, and knowledge:
- Understanding of the role and structure of local government as prescribed by the Act and associated Regulations.
- Understanding of the town planning role of local government as prescribed by the Planning and Development Act 2005.
- Understanding of Integrated Planning and Reporting, including strategic plans for the future of the local government, the processes involved, and the strategic role of a councillor.
- Understanding of CEO performance management processes.
- Ability to read and understand financial statements and reports.
- Basic understanding of legal processes.
- Understanding of the separation of powers between council and administration (the difference between governing and managing).
- Understanding of meeting processes, including Standing Orders (the local law containing rules used to manage a meeting).
- Awareness of risk management strategies.
- Understanding of the accountability framework prescribed by the Act, the Corruption, Crime and Misconduct Act 2003, and other legislation.
- Ability to communicate, debate, and actively participate in meetings.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and to manage interpersonal conflicts.
- Ability to exercise independent judgement.
City of Armadale Elections are administered by the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) and conducted by way of the postal voting system.
As it is a postal system all electors will receive their voting package by standard mail that is delivered by Australia Post approximately 3 weeks prior to the election date.
Electors who have not received their voting package the week prior to an election are highly encouraged to contact the City of Armadale in-person at the Administration Centre, 7 Orchard Avenue Armadale, by emailing governance@armadale.wa.gov.au or calling 9394 5000.
Officers will be able to determine why electors have received their voting package and if eligible issue a replacement voting package.
All eligible electors will receive a postal voting package around three weeks prior to polling day. The package will include a list of candidates, ballot papers, instructions on how to vote and a declaration. To vote, follow the instructions included in the package. Your postal voting package must be received before 6.00pm on polling day. If you do not think that your postal voting package can be returned by post in time, you can deliver it by hand to the City of Armadale Administration Centre no later than 6pm on polling day.
In 2023, local government elections in WA will move to optional preferential voting. It is similar to how voting is done in State and Federal elections.
Under the optional preferential voting system, voters number candidates in the order of their preference. You don’t have to number all the boxes if you don’t want to.
You have the choice to –
- vote for one candidate - by putting a 1 next to their name
- vote for some candidates - by numbering several candidates in the order of your preference
- vote for all candidates - in the order of your preference
Voting in Local Government elections is not compulsory however is highly encouraged as it is the most effective way of making a difference in your local community.
If you wish to vote within the October local government elections and you are unsure if you are enrolled to vote (or you haven't updated your enrolment details since you last moved) update your details by visiting the Western Australian Electoral Commission's website.
If you have recently moved or have reached the minimum age of 18 to vote you can update your enrolment details or register to vote at the Australian Electoral Commissions website.
To locate your ward and find out who your local Councillor is you can refer to the ward map by clicking this link
Electors have until 6pm on Saturday 18 October 2025 (Election day) to vote.
The election count is open to members of the public to observe and occurs after 6pm on 18 October 2025 in the upstairs Function Room at the City of Armadale Administration Centre located 7 Orchard Avenue Armadale.
If you do not receive or lose your postal election package or you spoil your ballot paper prior to or on election day (18 October 2025) please contact us in-person at 7 Orchard Avenue Armadale, by phone 9394 5000 or email governance@armadale.wa.gov.au so we can arrange a replacement package.
If you are planning to go away before election packages are posted one of the best options is to arrange for a mail redirection with the post office (or have a friend forward your mail) to an alternative address. If this is not practical e.g. travelling overseas for extended periods of time, unfortunately it may not be practical for you to vote as your postal ballot paper may not be received in time. In these instances as voting at local government elections is not compulsory you will not receive a fine.
YES. Once elected, councillors make decisions on behalf of all electors across the City. Section 2.10 of the Local Government Act 1995 includes requirements that a councillor represents the interests of electors, ratepayers and residents of the district; and provides leadership and guidance to the community in the district.
Further information about local government elections is available from the:
X Prohibited Burning Period has been extended until Sunday 5 May 2024. READ MORE