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 Huon 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 9 councillors, number the boxes from 1 to 25 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 7 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 Huon Valley Council office.
*Statements are reproduced substantially as supplied by candidates.
As mayor and councillor I will provide leadership and guidance to councillors and carry out all major duties in accordance with the legislation and good governance as outlined in the Act. Being a business owner I have listened to the concerns of the residents of the Huon and will work hard to restore Council relationships within our community.
I will review infrastructure costs, management of roads, waste strategies, employee framework and budgets, sustaining medical services in the Huon including planning schemes while supporting sustainable primary industry growth for future generations.
I am 31 years old and live in Mountain River with my family. I work locally as a lawyer in Huonville. I believe I can bring a change in Council decision making. I will focus on making practical decisions that are in the best interests of the community.
If elected my main priorities will be advocating for simpler Council planning, ensuring Council has the infrastructure and services to meet the demands of our growing municipality and facilitating local business growth. I love living and working in the Huon Valley and would be grateful for the opportunity to represent my community.
Candidate statement not supplied
I'm running as mayor/councillor as I'm tiring of the anti-development, anti-business views of some that are becoming so prevalent in the Huon. I am certainly a supporter of sustainable practices and want to protect the environment like most, but not to extremes. We need pro-business, pro-development, pro-salmon and pro-less regulation voices on the Council who are not motivated by ideology but are willing to consider all views. I have lived in the Huon for 30 years and all my children were born here. I am heavily involved in the Huon community through AFL umpiring and am passionate about our Valley.
I share the Green Party's values of compassion, inclusiveness and fairness. I believe all people should be supported and share in Australia's prosperity, including access to affordable housing, work opportunities, social networks and healthcare. On Council, I'll use my experience and education in farming, technology and business to: examine budgets, create ways to help people in need, fight for fair and open processes, and engage and prioritise community. I want to energise small businesses, reduce waste, mitigate against climate events, plan together for the future and value natural places.
Born and raised in Tasmania, I have worked in finance for over 20 years across a variety of industries including aged and disability, community services, IT and construction. My husband and I live in the beautiful Huon Valley with our two dogs, where we run our cherry farm business. I am dedicated to ensuring our community thrives and progresses into the future and believe that we must protect the health, safety, environment and quality of life of people and animals, not just for today but for future generations to come.
Please vote Mary Coulson on election day.
I grew up in the Huon Valley. I am married with 4 children. I am a small business owner. I have recently moved back to the Huon after 25 years away, 20 of these in the Clarence municipality, but frequently travelling to Dover and Southport for work.
If I am elected as a councillor I will endeavour to work hard for the community and to have a voice in the far south. There needs to be an emphasis on fire hazard reduction, roads, recreational facilities, medical services, better waste management for outlying communities. I support sustainable development and minimising red tape.
I am honoured to have been able to serve my community over the last 4 yrs. I have worked hard, travelled afar and met great people. As a committed councillor with a positive and sincere approach I have demonstrated strong leadership style during a period of significant change. Whilst proud of my achievements there is more to do which includes leading a Council that focuses on the provision of quality cost effective services to the community. Fostering positive change drives me as I love the Huon Valley and would love to continue to work with the community to help it be the very best it can be.
As mayor I will lead Council to focus on efficient, modern services, and fair and honest process. My Greens principles are to look after people and environment, and listen openly to evidence and community - a priority with cost of living and climate change. I'm an experienced councillor and will keep people informed and plan ahead. I've been an architect and builder for 30 years. I will use my skills and creativity to find solutions, motivate councillors as a team, and lead to achieve common goals. With a clear plan we can minimise costs, stimulate business, and support and connect people.
The Huon needs and deserves a Council that is well run and effective. I was raised and educated in Hobart. After a hospitality career in Hobart and Sydney, I moved to the Huon Valley with my family at the beginning of 2019.
My experience in hospitality management is complemented by tertiary studies in arts, law and urban planning that enables me to contribute to the Council providing a professional, informed and competent decision making group. I aim to help the Council improve roads, fix planning, focus on community health and ensure that assets and services are effectively managed.
As the Huon Community confronts significant uncertainty economically and environmentally, Council has a critical role in developing resilience and capacity. It can only achieve this if it is trusted by the public. As an independent I will work respectfully with councillors to develop trust in the Council's actions. Trust is earned by a Council that works with integrity, honesty and transparency. With this forward looking approach Council can effectively address key issues such as health, housing and transport.
In this beautiful Valley let us all work towards a future that promises hope.
Candidate statement not supplied
We are a small Council and that is a good thing with big advantages so long as we are smart. Big councils can use their large ratepayer base to overcome many issues. We don't have that so we need to listen and properly engage with the community to find out how to do things better.
I believe that I have shown a commitment to our community. I have been a coach at the Huonville Lions, chair of the Palais Management Committee and president of the Franklin Progress Association. I have a strong financial background and understand planning and Council processes well.
I promise to be the voice of the residents bringing a fresh approach to Council. Proudly 5th generation Tasmanian with varied life experiences & with an understanding of what locals need. I have owner built on acreages & appreciate the need to have more say in the use of land you have worked hard for, also more flexibility from Council. I worked in real estate, owned several small businesses, then spent 10 years driving low loaders in W.A. The last 3 years I owned my own art gallery & worked with councils promoting art & mural trails. I will be your voice on Council by listening to your needs.
Contributing to and being involved in my community is a big part of my life as I believe it is essential to a healthy society.
As your Green councillor I will work towards an open and engaging Council, strengthening and connecting our communities throughout the Huon Valley. I'd like to contribute my communication and networking skills, my enthusiasm and passion to improve Council's understanding of its residents in order to offer the services our communities need and use my professional background in building design to contribute to Council's planning process and long-term strategy.
If you give me the opportunity I would like to represent my community on the Huon Valley Council as both a councillor and deputy mayor. Born and raised in the Valley, I have always had a strong commitment to my local community, having held positions of leadership on local sporting clubs and schools for many years. In my working life I have managed the Australian Antarctic Division mechanical workshop, creating local jobs in this specialized field. I have a great commitment to family and local communities. My qualities are facing up to reality, thinking outside the box, team work and respect.
Candidate statement not supplied
An experienced land manager and director, now working as a forestry consultant and volunteer president of Gymnastics Tasmania. I'm trained (GAICD, BEnvSci) and skilled at strategic planning and engagement: forestry, census, and HVC councillor 2013-14. Active community member living on a small family farm in Port Huon.
Values: productivity, engagement, respect, diversity. I bring integrity and a constructive attitude. As an independent, capable negotiator I'll achieve balanced, considered and effective solutions to bring people together. Your smart choice for deputy mayor. @AmyRobertson4HVC.
The Huon Valley Council needs to get its priorities in order; to focus on serving the needs of the constituents and remove itself as an obstacle in people's lives.
As a dedicated father of two who has lived here most of my life, I know that the Huon Valley is a great place to raise a family. It is my aim to reduce the additional burden placed on families, individuals and small businesses by unnecessary regulation and overreach. I offer an ethical approach, based in Christian values, centred on the importance of family and the principles of personal responsibility.
I am excited to offer myself to help create a positive and transparent Council that will represent the interests of our community. The Huon Valley people are diverse and passionate, with each individual deserving to have their voice heard, including our valued small business sector.
I have a strong background in finance and accounting, which will assist me to ensure we have a constructive and efficient Council. I will endeavor to help restore the public trust in our Council, by full disclosure with accountability to all and a focus on action based outcomes.
I have attended and participated in almost all Huon Valley Council meetings since 2015. Voting for me means rates, roads and rubbish will always be my top priority.
My extensive career includes small and corporate business in Australia and New Zealand. We came to the Huon in 2008 and since then I have actively campaigned for our environment, our community and the failures of Council. My priorities are the budget, the flawed GM appointment, and restoring the trust of our residents and ratepayers. I always act with honesty and integrity and I do not sugarcoat facts. Change is necessary.
As a true independent mayor and councillor I will serve the whole community and restore trust through inclusive, professional and ethical governance. Positive outcomes are achieved by working together.
I will encourage this spirit of unity to achieve our common goals in priority areas, including road and stormwater infrastructure, waste, transport, health, resilience, and sustainable development. My business qualifications, life and professional experience give me the skills to understand our financial constraints, to build a supportive culture and to plan strategically for now and the future.
Lifelong Huon resident. Married 42 years, father/grandfather. Full time farmer, former mechanic, member/former member of over 15 community groups including Cygnet Fishing Carnival, sporting clubs, officer in Grove and Deep Bay fire brigades. Former P&F president and board member of both Sacred Heart School and St James College. State council Catholic School P&F. Life member and current committee member Cygnet Tennis Club. Proven commitment to Huon Valley community. Need to cut red tape, cut unnecessary spending and get the debt under control. Get the budget back in the black and keep rates low.
My name is Toby Thorpe, I am a generational local to the Huon and incredibly passionate about ensuring that we have strong local representatives in our elected offices. I am concerned that many of us feel that we're not prepared for a better future. For me, this election is about three things: 1. Family and community orientation. 2. Innovation to lead and overcome challenges from financial stability to planning and climate change. 3. Future growth. We need to be building a community that welcomes future investment, that believes in future leaders and allows for future opportunities.
I am resilient, diligent and committed to the Huon Valley. I've spent 50 years developing and operating businesses in the Huon and currently operate cottage accommodation in Port Huon. This extensive experience includes times as a company director, which provides valuable understanding of the business of Council.
I have been involved with community groups and through participation on previous councils have a strong understanding of local government, the roles of elected representatives and the value of community participation. I am committed to the Huon Valley and its people.