Dubbo Regional Council elections: Covid-19 pushes up costs

Ratepayers in the state’s Central West have been made to pay a whopping 68 per cent more to run this year’s council elections and the figure could rise. FIND OUT WHY

Dubbo ratepayers could be forced to pay up to $776,000 in costs associated with running of the upcoming local government election in September.

Dubbo council’s organisational performance director Dean Frost has explained why ratepayers are paying more for democracy. Picture: Ryan Young

The figure is in stark contrast to the amount paid to conduct the last election and Dubbo Regional Council has labelled the cost “unfortunate” but necessary.

To conduct the 2017 election, council paid the NSW Electoral Commission $291,000.

This year, council’s organisational performance director, Dean Frost, said $490,000 would be paid to the Commission — a massive 68 per cent increase on the previous amount.

He said another $285,000 had been allocated in council’s budget to cover costs like “compulsory advertising, pre-candidate information sessions, the equipment to be provided to councillors in accordance with council policy, training and to facilitate Covid measures such as larger areas to ensure social distancing, increased staffing, sanitising and cleaning provisions”.

“The increase in cost has been attributed to new Covid requiremenrs that must be adhered to,” Mr Frost said.

“The Electoral Commission has requested larger venues to ensure physical distancing for ... staff who have to work at the pre-poll sites and election day venue sites, also for members of the public accessing the various sites.

“The extra costs also include employing more staff for the election, purchasing resources such as sanitisers, barriers, ect to ensure all requirements are met.”

Dubbo mayor Stephen Lawrence says the election costs are “unfortunate” but necessary. Picture: Ryan Young

Councillor Lawrence said the price of democracy was “always worth it”.

“It’s unfortunate that this election will be more expensive than the last because of the cost of COVID-19 requirements,” he said.

“The cost of democracy is the cost of democracy and we have to spend it.”

If the current Covid outbreak worsens or is not bought under control, NSW Government sources say elections will still go ahead with a greater emphasis on use of online voting platforms.