Accessible HTML format. Statements are also available in PDF format with candidate photos and web links.
Voting is now compulsory
Your vote must be received by 2pm on Tuesday 25 October 2022
Don’t delay – late votes won’t be counted!
There are 3 elections being held for Derwent Valley Council:
As well as this booklet, your postal ballot pack contains:
The ballot paper envelope has been specially designed to ensure the secrecy of your vote.
All returned envelopes are kept unopened under tight security until they are checked for validity.
After a sealed envelope has been verified, the flap showing the elector’s personal details and signature is removed under instruction of the returning officer, in the presence of witnesses, and securely stored until the close of the poll.
After the close of the poll and in the presence of witnesses, the now anonymous envelopes are opened in large random batches before the unidentified ballots are removed for examination and counting.
Successful candidates for Mayor and Deputy Mayor must also be elected as councillors to be able to accept these offices.
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors you elect will serve until October 2026.
Questions? Call 1800 801 701
Postal services take a number of days, so it is important to complete and return your vote now.
Your vote must be received by 2pm on Tuesday 25 October 2022
Follow these five easy steps:
Candidates were invited to provide a statement and photo for your consideration*.
Statements appear in alphabetical order but the names on the ballot papers are rotated.
The online version of this booklet contains web links where provided by candidates.
Number the boxes on each ballot paper from 1 onwards in the order of your choice.
For the election of 8 councillors, number the boxes from 1 to 18 in order of your choice, Number at least 5 boxes to make your vote count.
For the election of Mayor, number the boxes from 1 to 3 in order of your choice. Number at least one box to make your vote count.
For the election of Deputy Mayor, number the boxes from 1 to 6 in the order of your choice. Number at least one box to make your vote count.
Put your completed ballot papers in the ballot paper envelope, which is the smaller envelope with the wider flap, and seal it securely.
Sign your ballot paper envelope in the box on the flap to declare that you are the voter named on this envelope and you have voted on the ballot papers in this envelope. You must sign the envelope and leave the flap attached — or your vote won’t be counted. The returning officer will remove the flap with your details on it before opening the envelope.
Then put your ballot paper envelope in the reply-paid envelope — the larger envelope — and seal it.
Post your reply paid envelope straight away (no stamp needed), or take your vote to the Derwent Valley Council office.
*Statements are reproduced substantially as supplied by candidates.
I enter my nomination for the Derwent Valley election to be the Bigg voice in a time when the communities of the Valley should be heard, these communities must be at the forefront of every decision made instead of only making way for the new and shiny. In a time of extreme growth we need a pragmatic approach to take precedence over wasteful, tokenistic ideas that only hurt us in time as we currently see.
We must protect and invest in the very essence of what made the Valley our Valley. Our Valley deserves the best and I will stand with gumption for all the communities of the Derwent Valley.
Having had a 39 year local government career and having been elected a councillor in March this year, I want, if elected a councillor and mayor to bring a "common sense" and "back to basics" approach to Council, focusing on Council's infrastructure - roads, storm water systems, sporting and public facilities.
To help shield our community against the rising cost of living and "rate increase shock", I would strongly advocate with my fellow councillors that annual rate increases should be in line with pension and private and public sector wage increases, not exorbitant 9% rate increases.
You deserve a Council that is caring and considerate. I have extensive business and professional experience in the Derwent Valley and have raised a family in this beautiful place. We should take pride in listening to people's needs. So I champion the need for good services especially for young people and the elderly, good business support, public safety and environmental care. Whilst keeping a lid on rate rises.
We can achieve this with your vote for me in a caring, co-operative and efficient Council. I will lead a Council that listens, cares for the environment, and gets things done. For you.
I have lived in the Valley all my life with many strong family and community ties. I have a young family and my children go to school here. I am very aware of the challenges that we as a community are facing. My experience in business and management, along with the investment ratepayers have made in me over the last 4 years as councillor, provides me with valuable insight and the tools to face these challenges. I believe in common sense decision making and the importance of strategic planning for the future. To be your voice in Council, please vote me number 1 for councillor and deputy mayor.
Moving here 15 years ago to work for then Fed Labor MP in his High Street office, I now have my own business health coaching and also work for an NDIS provider so I work between home and Hobart.
If elected to Council I will apply the values of courage to stand up for what I believe in, creativity for problem solving and respect for others' views even if I don't agree with them. Big challenges for our community are growing services to match a growing population, ensuring opportunities for future generations and balancing a unique history with inevitable progress. Agree? Vote 1 Deb Carnes.
I was born in the Derwent Valley. I am standing for councillor as a candidate with the Tasmanian Greens. I will work collaboratively within Council to keep rates to a minimum and build a healthy, connected community. Before each decision my question will be: "Who does it benefit?" I will be acting for the community; we live in a temperate part of the world but can no longer avoid dealing with climate changes. We need to plan for population growth, choose climate-sensitive development, good waste management and emission reduction strategies, and grow skills and jobs that regenerate our ecosystem.
Candidate statement not supplied
I am a proud Derwent Valley family man, who is passionate about youth development, tourism, small business, skills and training. I'm a carpenter by trade and accredited builder who knows the value of hard work.
I will work hard to create opportunities for our young people and advocate for the community. I have volunteered in youth development for over 20 years and appreciate the spirit, value and efforts of our volunteers. In 2020 I was awarded the joint Citizen of the Year in the Derwent Valley Australia Day Awards. I want to contribute to a well thought out plan for the Derwent Valley.
I was sworn in as mayor of the Derwent Valley on 1st March 2022. Since that time I have worked hard to get out in the community and learn about what is needed. I have advocated to attract funding and support at both a state and federal level and have given practical support locally where it has been within Council's ability to do so. I have four children, two of which are grown and a husband who works in hospitality. I know the importance of supporting local business, industry and tourism and will continue to serve the Valley as a mayor with integrity, compassion and local interest at heart.
Candidate statement not supplied
I have lived in the Derwent Valley all my life and I am proud and passionate of where I come from.
I am an active volunteer in our community and have worked in government and non-government organisations for over 19 years. With the ever-growing costs of living, I am committed to working to achieve best value for money services for our community. I believe in making decisions based on facts and in line with regulations and the needs of the community. I will always endeavour to communicate and consult with, involve and respect members of our community.
I was born and raised here in New Norfolk and graduated from the local high school in 2008. I want to bring my local tourism knowledge to the Council to help businesses and young people like me to have the opportunity to live here, raise families and work in the Valley.
I am passionate about growing our region and I believe that by making informed and sensible financial decisions, the Derwent Valley Council can be sustainable, creating an area that will make its residents proud. #saralowefordvc.
I understand the challenges and opportunities facing our region. We need sustainable growth complemented by appropriate infrastructure and services to ensure nobody is left behind. Councillors should be community leaders, and I will represent the Derwent Valley with integrity, pride and determination.
I'm a media and communications professional, law student and community advocate with experience volunteering with Derwent Valley Arts, Rotary and TYGA FM. My career history and master's in policy mean I have the skills, knowledge and networks to be an effective councillor.
Candidate statement not supplied
I have lived in the Derwent Valley for the last 25 years and I believe that we need a Council that listens to the residents and ratepayers. We need a Council that will be responsible in the way that it spends our money, also takes charge of policy. Our councillors are the policy makers; the GM is to make sure that these policies are carried out. Remember this is your Council, not the management or councillors. I will, as part of a team push to find savings in Council's spending to try and curb the savage rate increases of this year and the increases promised for next year.
I'm a Derwent Valley tourism business owner and operator and an active and supportive member of the Derwent Valley community. As a close observer of the Derwent Valley Council over the past 6 years, I am motivated to get involved as a new voice on the Council.
Prior to starting a business, I had decades of experience in administrative support in corporate business and state and federal government. I have a strong interest in tourism, heritage and local history. I am married with three adult sons and live in New Norfolk with my husband. I will stand for ethics, common sense and communication.
Voting 1 for myself means a fresh young voice for the Derwent Valley. As a father of 3 young children, I know how important youth programs are. I plan as councillor to bring more programs for youth to the Valley. I will ensure that there will be more repairs done to all roads and infrastructure.
As a small business owner I know how important it is for the community to work together. I will be working alongside small businesses so we can bring more opportunities to the community. I will work on upgrading some of our older roads and footpaths to make every area safe for the public use.
I have enjoyed serving as a councillor for the past 3 years on the Derwent Valley Council. In that time I have contributed a meaningful and positive voice, working well with councillors and staff alike.
I am approachable, caring and considerate of those around me. I am community focused and lend my time to a number of local community associations. I am raising two children and can't think of anywhere else we would rather live. I am proud of the hard working, salt-of-the-earth people who live in our community. I am not one for flashy self-promotion, I don't seek accolades, I am results driven.