Local council election guide: Maranoa, Western Downs, Murweh, Balonne, Paroo, Quilpie and Bulloo regions

Welcome to your ultimate guide to the 2024 local government elections in the Western Downs, Maranoa, Murweh, Balonne, Paroo, Quilpie, and Bulloo, where you can find out who is standing as candidates, where and how to vote.

With less than a month before election day, get to know who is running for local council in your area.

With the upcoming local council elections in March, we’ve got all the info you need including candidates, how to vote and locations for polling.

Voters will head to the polls on March 16 to determine who will represent them at a local level.

In Australia, voting is not only a right and a responsibility it is also compulsory for eligible Australian citizens aged 18 or older.

If you don’t vote, you may be fined, with fines starting at $66.

Here’s what you need to know.

How to vote

Once you’ve ensured your enrollment information is accurate and up-to-date you can find out which candidate speaks to you the most.

Do your research and find out who is running for that seat and what they represent.

From there you can find out where your closest polling booth is here.

Polling is typically hosted in local schools or community halls.

For more election facts, head to the AEC website to find out more on common misinformation, frequently asked questions and background data.

Pre Polling

While most council areas in South West Queensland will vote via postal vote, some residents in certain areas of the Maranoa and Murweh regions will be required to attend a polling booth on or before election day, unless they apply for postal voting.

The full list of full postal ballot councils is as follows:

• Balonne Shire Council
• Banana Shire Council
• Barcaldine Regional Council
• Barcoo Shire Council
• Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
• Bulloo Shire Council
• Diamantina Shire Council
• Etheridge Shire Council
• Goondiwindi Regional Council
• Longreach Regional Council
• North Burnett Regional Council
• Paroo Shire Council
• Quilpie Shire Council
• Richmond Shire Council
• Western Downs Regional Council

Voters in the localities of Roma, Mitchell, Yuleba, Injune, Wallumbilla and Surat in the Maranoa region will be required to attend a polling booth, while all other parts of that council area will vote via postal ballot.

All residents in the Murweh region will be required to attend in person to vote on or before election day, unless they apply in advance.

If you live in an attendance voting area and would like to submit a postal vote, you can apply here.

Postal votes are required to be returned by Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

Early voting for the local government elections opens on Monday, March 4 and runs until Friday, March 15.

The official election day is Saturday, March 16, 2024 with all polling booths open from 8am to 6pm.

Early voting can be done at:

LG Returning Officer Maranoa Early Voting Roma Bungil Cultural Centre (Ernest Brock Room), 57 Bungil Street, Roma, QLD Australia 4455, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, starting March 4.

LG Returning Officer Murweh Early Voting, Charleville Racecourse Complex, 61 Partridge Street, Charleville, QLD Australia 4470, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, starting March 11.

Election Day

Voters in the Western Downs will need to submit their votes by post, as the Western Downs Regional Council is holding a full postal ballot, as is Quilpie, Paroo and Balonne.

All voting materials will be sent after candidate nominations close. Complete your vote as soon as you receive it, following the instructions carefully.

Postal votes must be completed by 6pm on election day, and the ECQ must receive it by Tuesday, March 26 2024 for it to be counted.

For other regions where voting can be conducted in person on polling day, upon reaching the polling booth, proceed to the issuing officer’s table, where an election official will authenticate your identity before providing you with a ballot paper.

It might be necessary to verify your address, so ensure that your details are up-to-date with the Australian Electoral Commission during this process.

Following verification, you will be guided to a voting booth, allowing you to cast your ballot privately.

Take your time and carefully review the information on the ballot slip. Once you have completed your ballot paper/s, deposit them into the designated ballot box before exiting.

Polling officials will be present to offer assistance should you have any inquiries.

Candidates

Find out more about your local council candidates and what they want for the region.

In our upcoming council election, a diverse array of candidates is vying for positions, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences.

From seasoned community leaders who weathered natural disasters and a pandemic to fresh faces, the list encompasses individuals committed to addressing local issues and fostering positive change.

Voters can anticipate a large selection, allowing them to choose representatives who align with their values and aspirations for the community’s future.

For more in-depth information see our article below.

Maranoa, Western Downs, Murweh, Balonne, Paroo local government elections: Who is running in 2024

Originally published as Local council election guide: Maranoa, Western Downs, Murweh, Balonne, Paroo, Quilpie and Bulloo regions