Right now, the Mayor of Tweed Shire isn't chosen by us. Seven councillors elect one of their own to the role, behind closed doors, for a two-year term — and the community has no direct say in who leads our Shire.

 

I don't think that's good enough. The Mayor represents all of us, every resident, ratepayer and business across the Tweed. That person should be chosen by the people they represent, not by a vote among councillors.

 

The law already allows for this. Under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), Council can put the question to us directly at a constitutional referendum, a binding Shire-wide vote on how the Mayor is elected. Plenty of NSW councils already have a popularly elected Mayor. Tweed Shire could too, if our councillors choose to give us the vote.

 

That's what this petition is asking for: not a particular candidate, not a political outcome,  just the right to choose.

 

We're calling on Tweed Shire Council to:

 

Resolve to hold a constitutional referendum on changing how the Mayor is elected, so the Mayor is chosen directly by Tweed voters for a four-year term, instead of by the councillors.

 

Hold that referendum with enough lead time before the next ordinary election for an approved change to actually take effect at that election.

 

Give the community clear, balanced information about what the change would mean before we vote.

 

This has come close before, James Owen moved for exactly this referendum in 2024, and it was voted down by fellow councillors. This time, let's show Council there's real community support behind it.

 

Sign this petition to tell Tweed Shire Council: let us choose our o wn Mayor.