Lockyer Valley to vote by post

VOTING in the upcoming local government elections in the Lockyer Valley will conducted by postal vote only.

VOTING in the upcoming local government elections in the Lockyer Valley will conducted by postal vote only.

Polling booths will not be placed around the region, in a move critics have declared will only help incumbent councillors.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council candidate Kathy McLean said she didn't believe there had been enough community consultation regarding the change.

"After extensive inquiries to community, church and business representatives, I have been unable to find anyone who was consulted, or who made an encouraging comment," she said.

Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones said not erecting polling booths would cut the cost of the election by 25%.

"Operating polling booths across the region is a huge cost impost, so council was keen to implement the postal voting system," he said.

"It was also considered to be more convenient for voters to vote from the comfort of their own home, rather than physically having to travel to a polling booth."

However, Ms McLean said she didn't believe the community had been properly consulted on the changes.

"In the Lockyer Valley where a postal only voting system had not been previously used, this saving could be quickly eroded by the need to inform and educate people of how they now need to vote, in the sort time that is left before the election date," she said.

Ms McLean said she had discussed the change with long term Ipswich rural councillor David Pahlke who believed the change would only benefit currently sitting councillors.

Lockyer Valley residents will automatically receive their postal ballot papers by mail without needing to apply. The ballots must be completed before 6pm on election day and returned immediately.

"We will ensure communities in the Lockyer Valley benefit from this decision, and residents should know it will not impact their chance to have a say," Cr Jones said.

"Council certainly encourages all residents to take their opportunity to vote seriously and consider what is best for the Lockyer Valley both now and in the future."

Council's chief executive officer Ian Flint said the council election would be conducted by the Electoral Commission of Queensland.

"The ECQ will advise the community of the election arrangements and the postal ballot process, and offer a local contact for any inquiries," he said.

"Council will have no involvement in the election process whatsoever."

Originally published as Lockyer Valley to vote by post