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 George Town 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 9 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 2 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 3 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 George Town Council office.
*Statements are reproduced substantially as supplied by candidates.
I have grown up and live in the George Town area. With my wife, we raise our family here on the family farm. As a business owner and rural ratepayer, I understand the importance of using the community's money in ways that benefit all residents & ratepayers. Listening to people, avoiding wasteful spending, and delivering sustainable services will be my priority.
I see great potential in our region, and I hope to see our Council improve the way it budgets and completes projects. Your views and opinions matter. Please consider giving me your number 1 vote!
For the majority of my life I have lived in this municipality, having raised and educated my children here. I am passionate about this community and have been a member of the George Town Rotary Club for 20 years including 2 terms as its president. Recently I re-joined the workforce as a pharmacist assistant in George Town.
We need the empty shops filled, Regent Square and the old RSL building completed and the gender imbalance within the chamber addressed to allow for more diverse decision making. If elected I will support local business and encourage our municipality to move forward.
Please give me your number 1 vote for councillor and deputy mayor. I will speak up for you and ask the hard questions at the table. I stand for honesty, integrity and transparency. More face to face consultation. Local government needs more women at the table.
Hi! I'm running to serve our community and I advocate for the following: 1. A plan to build our public and private health economy including allied, aged, and NDIS care. 2. Strong by-laws for safe parks, public spaces and amenities, with clear penalties for anti-social behaviour, vandalism, and stray dangerous animals. 3. 'Levelling up our youth' initiative that helps youth with after school jobs and getting their license. 4. Monthly transparency and progress reports for projects over $1million. I'm a husband, dad of 4, veteran, business owner, volunteer, and I appreciate your support.
I am asking for your support to be elected as councillor and deputy mayor in 2022. I have worked hard over the last 8 years to help turn George Town Council into one of the most progressive in Tasmania. We are now seeing the benefit of those early decisions and I am asking to be part of the leadership team that delivers facilities and services that our community deserves. We have come a long way but there is still work to be done, we need to take advantage of resource sharing opportunities with neighbouring councils and make every dollar count for our rate payers. Vote 1 Greg Dawson.
Living & growing up in the region for many years, I've seen & experienced many changes & would like to support the rate payers, Council team members & current/future investors by nominating as a candidate.
Recently in 2022 I attended the national industrial net zero forum in Sydney & work closely with hydrogen proponents throughout the state and find transitioning towards net zero by 2030 one our region's biggest challenges. This example like many others is important & with my broad range of experience & knowledge, I can be a valuable team member to represent rate payers.
I would like to see an honest and transparent process in relation to the consultative and development processes with projects in the municipality not just in George Town. I am very keen to support environmental sustainability in our region with a diverse amount of recreational activities available we need to protect these. Along with this I will continue to try and implement the FOGO bin system. I will always be available to take your calls. I will return your emails or your texts. I have a passion for the area. Please vote 1 Dean Gibbons.
A vote for me is a voice for you. If elected I will work hard for the people, with no hidden agendas to get the job done. As a father of 8, a small business owner and proud Tasmanian Aboriginal man, family and connection to place are important to me. I will draw upon a background in education, disability/community services and over 25 years community volunteering, to work as a dedicated team member to find the best outcomes. I don't have a ton of money for glossy posters, but I do have a ton of passion. If you want an approachable councillor you can count on please vote 1 David Griffiths.
I'm proud to live, work and be an active part of the George Town municipality community. As I run my own small businesses in George Town, I will bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, experience, and professionalism to the role of councillor.
My ties to the community have given me an understanding of what residents and ratepayers expect of their Council and as a veteran I understand the need for discipline, integrity, and a commitment to hard work to achieve success. My priorities are financial management, restoring harmony and harnessing and partnering with our community organisations.
I would like to thank the electors of George Town municipality for entrusting me with the position of deputy mayor since 2014. This time I would like to stand as mayor and give my commitment not to leave for a higher office.
In the past 8 years financials have been fixed, takeovers avoided, roads and bridges built, MTB track network almost finished, walking paths extended, sports grounds upgraded all of which improves the livability of our area. Plus we are in the midst of a massive building boom as needed to cater for industrial expansions.
It has been a privilege to serve as your mayor for the past 3.5 years. We have made solid progress towards the goals I committed to pursue during the last election. With returned stability, strong growth prospects, and growing pride in who we are, our future has never been brighter. However, much is yet to be done.
I am asking for your support to vote 1 for Greg Kieser as mayor to complete the journey in building George Town as a progressive, prosperous and proud community. I am also asking for your support for Greg Dawson as deputy mayor. Together we are committed to building our future.
For almost 20 years I have worked for the George Town Neighbourhood House in support and managerial roles. My team makes a difference by delivering key services and supports. I have experience facilitating a range of assistance to the George Town community with focus on financial, legal, social or health and wellbeing concerns. I have identified opportunities to affect meaningful change through policy and strategic direction which I can influence while sitting at the Council table. If elected, I will leverage my passion and continue to work effectively toward a strong George Town municipality.
As an individual, I can promise a lot, and deliver not much. A team can deliver much more; what is about to happen in our municipality in the next 6 years will surpass what has happened in the past 25. This boom needs to be managed to the highest degree. The 9-member Council team acts as a business, which is owned by you, the rate payer. On polling day you are tasked with electing individuals who you think can run your business; with sound financial benefits, good economical outcomes and first class environmental and safe work places. Hopefully you see fit to select me in your 9-member team.
As a third-generation resident of our municipality, I bring a range of skills and experience to the region. As a successful business owner for 30 years, I demonstrated commitment to hard work and getting the job done. I am a passionate supporter of community groups that work to improve our local east Tamar and coastal areas. I hold a variety of roles within a number of community groups and my passion lies with improving public safety and promoting growth, whilst remaining sensitive to our environment.
A vote for me ensures an authentic, committed community voice on our local Council.
Our Council has seen remarkable and unprecedented activity and interest in our community this term and I'm so proud of my contribution to stable and forward-thinking leadership within Council that has seen the realisation of many significant state and federally funded projects. There are many things which I have advocated and supported. Its no accident that our Council has been at the forefront for our region, and I'm always available to talk and advocate for our community and I am prepared to put in the hard yards. Please vote for me to continue this important work.
Peter Schultz 51 years old, married, nomination for councillor, offering over 33 years experience in building and electrical industry in management, business development and project management and would like to give back to the community. Proud to be full time resident of George Town municipality. To become a councillor this starts by having sound values of community engagement, accountability, respect, honesty and I'd like to be the people's voice on Council decisions.
Please vote 1 Schultz for councillor. Respectful, honest, committed to the community and your voice on Council decisions.
My name is Bec Sarah Jane. I strive to be a strong voice for action. The George Town community are extremely fortunate to have such an incredible choice of people running for Council. It makes me excited for the future.
I worked for the George Town Council for a period as a youth coordinator. Whilst I loved working in this role, the funding changed and limited what I was able to do. The exclusion went against my core values so I resigned. I decided I would be in a better position for the people in our community to action people's voices if serving as a councillor.
Time for new faces, new energy and a new attitude. Let me fight for your rights, by being your voice on Council. The only promise I can make is that I will listen to you. I am passionate about working with the community and have the ability to do the job. I undertake to represent our community with open, honest and transparent dealings.
I will represent you without fear or favour. We need fresh new voices, willing to listen to community concerns. Let's build an inclusive, accessible, safe and vibrant George Town community. Your community voice should be heard, let my voice be your voice.