Councillor Brian Finlayson has been absent from the Nambucca Shire Council chamber for some time and now we know why ...
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On July 8 he officially resigned from the position he has held since 2008 with Mr Coulter saying he had moved and no longer lived in the shire.
His departure presents the council with a couple of options, the most preferable of which, according to the general manager, Michael Coulter, is to seek an order from the Minister for Local Government that the casual vacancy not be filled.
"The next council elections are scheduled for September next year and the cost of a by-election would likely be in the order of $100,000," Mr Coulter said.
"While it's not ideal to have an even number of councillors because it will require the Mayor to consider the option of using a casting vote to break a dead lock, the alternative expenditure is even less appealing."
He said the relevant section of the Local Government Act stated that by-elections can be dispensed with 'if the casual vacancy occurs within 18 months before the date specified for the next ordinary election of the councillors for the area'.
Such a dispensation can only be ordered by the Minister. The council will consider the matter at their July 25 meeting.
*Cr Finlayson has contacted the Guardian News from his new home in Inverell and will release a short statement soon
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Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
