Nominations for 2011 Local government elections closed at noon today. It seems fitting that I dust off the cobwebs and re start blogging. Candidates for all of Tasmania’s 29 Councils will be made public at noon tomorrow. I thought I would speculate by making two predictions that will be proved right or more likely wrong by tomorrow’s lunch.
Firstly Clarence will be the council election with the most number of candidates contesting. Clarence was second to Launceston in 2009.
In 2007 13 candidates stood for 6 alderman positions. In 2009 there were 17 candidates. At the time of writing I am aware of 16 declared candidates in Clarence but predict the final number will be 27.
There are some big issues facing councils including their very future. I will cover some of these in future blogs. As always I welcome your input.
James
