Local Land Services is calling for nominations from interested ratepayers to board elections that will be held at the end of May.
Board representatives are elected by ratepayers for each of the 11 local boards.
Local Land Services Chair of the Board of Chairs, Tim de Mestre, last week formally announced that the 2017 local board elections will take place on May 31.
“The contribution of local board members in the past three years has resulted in the delivery of high quality, integrated services to landholders and has been important to ensure those services are in touch with the needs of local communities,” Mr de Mestre said.
One of the most important aspects of the 2017 elections would be giving as many ratepayers as possible the chance to have their say, he said.
Local Land Services regions had already begun a campaign to encourage ratepayers to enrol to vote.
“Enrolling and voting ensures strong local representation and helps guarantee that local boards are representing the needs of ratepayers in their regions,” he said.
“Enrolments close on March 31 to ensure that ratepayers are sent ballot papers by email if they are voting online or by post for hard copy ballot papers.”
Candidate nominations for local board members close at 12pm on Friday, March 31.
Three of the seven local board members in 10 regions and four in the Western region are elected by Local Land Services ratepayers.
The remaining members and the Chair are ministerially appointed.
“Together, the elected and appointed board members play an important role in setting the strategic direction of the organisation, promoting the services offered and communicating the priorities and concerns of customers to local boards,” Mr de Mestre said.
Information about the election process and an enrolment form will be posted in the next few days.
Key dates:
Enrolments: Open now and close 5pm, March 31;
Nominations: Open now and close noon, March 27;
Voting: Opens May 8 and closes 5pm, May 31;
Result: Board members will be announced by the end of June 2017
For more information visit the Local Land Services website here.
