Following the recent resignation of Cr Arandale, the NSW Electoral Commission has confirmed that a countback election will be held to fill the resulting vacancy on Glen Innes Severn Council. Under NSW electoral law, a countback election is used when a councillor resigns mid-term and was originally elected through proportional representation. Rather than holding a full by-election, the Electoral Commission reviews ballots from the previous council election to identify which unelected candidate is next eligible to take the seat, based on the preferences expressed by voters at that time. The process avoids the cost and time associated with a fresh…
Glen Innes Severn Council’s General Manager, Bernard Smith, has issued a public message urging the community to uphold respectful and constructive engagement with Council and its staff. In a statement shared via the Council’s official Facebook page, Mr Smith addressed the challenges of misinformation, personal attacks and a decline in civility, while reaffirming Council’s commitment to the wellbeing of its workforce. The message, that was posted on Facebook on Thursday evening, said: "As General Manager of Glen Innes Severn Council, I’m proud to lead an organisation committed to delivering for our community. This year has started strongly, and following extensive…
At its Ordinary Meeting held on 24 July 2025, Glen Innes Severn Council considered a range of matters spanning health infrastructure, financial reporting, planning proposals, renewable energy policy, and the future direction of the Australian Celtic Festival. Green Light for New CT Scanner Facility Council approved a development application for the establishment of a new CT scanning facility at 148 Church Street, Glen Innes. The application (DA 68/24-25) also included associated building alterations, signage, and external works. No objections were received during the public exhibition period, and the proposal was recommended for approval by Council’s consulting town planner. The applicant,…
The resignation of Councillor Troy Arandale from Glen Innes Severn Council has prompted the start of a countback election process — a method used in New South Wales to fill council vacancies without holding a full by-election. How Does It Work? When a councillor resigns mid-term, and they were elected via proportional representation, the NSW Electoral Commission can conduct a countback election rather than a fresh vote. Here’s how the process unfolds: • The Commission contacts all unelected candidates from the previous council election to determine who is still eligible to fill the vacancy. • These candidates are invited to…
Glen Innes Severn Council has received the resignation of Councillor Troy Arandale, who stepped down from his position effective immediately on Thursday morning. Mayor Margot Davis acknowledged Cr Arandale’s contribution to Council during his almost five-year tenure, during which he also served as Deputy Mayor for a time. “On behalf of Council, I would like to thank Councillor Arandale for his service over almost five years,” Cr Davis said. “Councillor Arandale served as Deputy Mayor for part of his term and, like all councillors, contributed time and effort to the role in service to the community.” Cr Davis, who is…
The following works are scheduled subject in the period ending Friday 8 August 2025 to weather conditions and unforeseen delays: Jetpatching on Strathbogie Road, Emmaville Road and the Glen Innes Township; General street sweeping around the Glen Innes Township; Roadside slashing is planned on Wellington Vale Road; The Roads Construction Crew will be working on Wellington Vale Road; Maintenance grading is scheduled for Aqua Park Road, Sara River road, Warra Forrest Road and Mt Slow Road, Emmaville village and Morgan's Road; The Heavy Patching Crew will be undertaking urban heavy patching crew will be working on Tablelands Road; The Bridge team will be…
The Youth Booth has been named a finalist in the 2025 Local Government Week Awards for delivering one of New South Wales’ most outstanding Youth Week programs. The nomination places Glen Innes Severn Council in the spotlight for its efforts to support and engage young people across the region. The finalist recognition comes after the success of Youth Week 2025, which featured a diverse range of events tailored for young people living in Glen Innes Severn. Activities included a gaming night, movie night, inflatable fun day and a guided cultural walk at The Willows — all planned and delivered with…
After around 40 years of community volunteer involvement, volunteers are no longer being used in the Glen Innes Meals on Wheels service. As of 1 July 2025, the delivery of meals is being carried out entirely by paid staff from Life Choices Support Services (LC-SS), a division of Glen Innes Severn Council, using its existing workforce. Council has pointed to changes in aged care legislation as the main reason for the transition, stating that a professional delivery model ensures compliance with increasingly stringent requirements for training, documentation, accountability, and oversight. “The meal delivery service will transition to a professional service…
Glen Innes Severn Council has officially taken on responsibility for invasive and noxious weed control in the local government area, following the dissolution of the New England Weeds Authority (NEWA) last month. The transition, effective from 16 June 2025, marks the end of more than 75 years of operation for NEWA, one of NSW’s first single-purpose county councils established in 1947. NEWA had been responsible for managing invasive weeds across the New England region, acting as the Local Control Authority (LCA) under the Biosecurity Act 2015. The move follows a series of governance and financial issues that came to light…
The Glen Innes Severn Council has completed restoration works on light poles at the Meade Street and Bourke Street roundabouts along Grey Street. The works, which began on 18 March 2025, involved the temporary removal of both poles to undergo sandblasting, repainting, and polishing. Council noted that these measures were essential to preserve the poles as long-standing heritage and memorial features of the town centre. "We recognise the significance of these fixtures – the light pole on Meade Street is mounted to the ANZAC memorial, while the one on Bourke Street features a heritage theme," Council stated earlier this year.…
