Accessible HTML format. Statements are also available in PDF format with candidate photos and web links.
Voting is now compulsory
Your vote must be received by 2pm on Tuesday 25 October 2022
Don’t delay – late votes won’t be counted!
There are 3 elections being held for Flinders Council:
As well as this booklet, your postal ballot pack contains:
The ballot paper envelope has been specially designed to ensure the secrecy of your vote.
All returned envelopes are kept unopened under tight security until they are checked for validity.
After a sealed envelope has been verified, the flap showing the elector’s personal details and signature is removed under instruction of the returning officer, in the presence of witnesses, and securely stored until the close of the poll.
After the close of the poll and in the presence of witnesses, the now anonymous envelopes are opened in large random batches before the unidentified ballots are removed for examination and counting.
Successful candidates for Mayor and Deputy Mayor must also be elected as councillors to be able to accept these offices.
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors you elect will serve until October 2026.
Questions? Call 1800 801 701
Postal services take a number of days, so it is important to complete and return your vote now.
Your vote must be received by 2pm on Tuesday 25 October 2022
Follow these five easy steps:
Candidates were invited to provide a statement and photo for your consideration*.
Statements appear in alphabetical order but the names on the ballot papers are rotated.
The online version of this booklet contains web links where provided by candidates.
Number the boxes on each ballot paper from 1 onwards in the order of your choice.
For the election of 7 councillors, number the boxes from 1 to 9 in order of your choice, Number at least 5 boxes to make your vote count.
For the election of Mayor, number the boxes from 1 to 2 in order of your choice. Number at least one box to make your vote count.
For the election of Deputy Mayor, number the boxes from 1 to 2 in the order of your choice. Number at least one box to make your vote count.
Put your completed ballot papers in the ballot paper envelope, which is the smaller envelope with the wider flap, and seal it securely.
Sign your ballot paper envelope in the box on the flap to declare that you are the voter named on this envelope and you have voted on the ballot papers in this envelope. You must sign the envelope and leave the flap attached — or your vote won’t be counted. The returning officer will remove the flap with your details on it before opening the envelope.
Then put your ballot paper envelope in the reply-paid envelope — the larger envelope — and seal it.
Post your reply paid envelope straight away (no stamp needed), or take your vote to the Flinders Council office.
*Statements are reproduced substantially as supplied by candidates.
I ask for your number 1 vote to represent the best interests for our communities without fear or favour. Born in Tasmania, I first came to Flinders Island 44 years ago and settled here in 2013. I am a licenced plumber and builder and have run my own businesses since I was 19, in civil construction, plumbing and manufacturing. Let's get back to basics and get our roads and rubbish fixed as our first priority. I will particularly champion transparency, communication, cooperation, consultation, collaboration, accountability and common sense.
My name is Aaron Burke. I am a local primary producer and contractor. I was honoured to be voted in as a councillor in 2018. During this term our Council have worked well to get us into a more positive position moving forward. I fight for our community and what I believe in. I have been heavily involved with DIPWE working towards the eradication of pigs in the Mt Strzelecki National Park.
I want State Growth to be more accountable for the conditions of our state roads and prompt with repairs. I love the Island and all it stands for, which is why I'm putting my hand up as councillor again.
After 16 years on Council, including 11 as mayor, I did not nominate at the last election due to my husband's ill health. I am now again able to give back to the island communities that have been my home since 1972. I am currently involved in the beef industry, have experience in the fishing and tourism industries and volunteer for community groups including the Hospital Auxiliary (secretary) and Furneaux Historical Research Association (president).
I want to see the Furneaux communities thrive - where economics, conservation and people combine for the benefit of future generations.
I am a 7th generation Islander, passionate about our islands and respectful of our culture and heritage. I understand the issues businesses and families face and plan to investigate greater freight and fuel rebates for the islands. We need more affordable housing options for workers, newcomers and the aged. I look forward to Council's priority projects becoming a reality; the commencement of Safe Harbor; upgrade of Holloway Park, Emita Hall and the FAEC kitchen; and new fire sheds for Lady Barron and Emita. I say 'no' to fin fish farming.
I ask for your vote for councillor and deputy mayor.
I have worked in both the public and private sector here in Australia and overseas. I have operated my own businesses including the provision of major aviation services worldwide and hold two masters degrees and multiple professional qualifications. If elected my focus is to serve the community in an open and transparent manner. My priorities include roads, rates, rubbish and retention of our pristine environment. I will pursue issues that are likely to have a negative impact on our communities such as fin fish farming and inappropriate development. Together we can make a difference.
I was born on Flinders Island 60 years ago and have lived here all my life. I am involved in the farming and tourism industries. I believe Flinders Island needs to look at sustainable tourism into the future. We also need to protect our natural environment for generations to come.
I have stood for Council in the past and am willing to put the effort in to work towards a better future for all Flinders islanders. One of the projects started when I was last on Council was the Safe Harbour. I would like to see this project completed for the safety of visitors and locals alike.
As mayor I will commit myself to: building a cohesive councillor team that is responsive to community needs; and being available 1 day per week to meet with residents and ratepayers at the Council offices. I will open Council workshops to the public and organise regular fora where councillors and the public can meet informally to discuss ideas, issues and concerns.
I will implement more effective monitoring and reporting of Council activities and engage the community in continuous improvement initiatives. I will fight to defend and protect our environment and way of life.
I have been a resident of Flinders Island since 2006. I served on Flinders Council from 2014 to 2018. I have been an active community member including Lions Club, Community Shed, Maritime History Assoc. and Furneaux Islands Protection Network.
If elected I would actively pursue the community's motion that fin fish farming will never happen in the Furneaux Group region. Issues of affordable housing and camping are high on my priority agenda. After running several businesses I am now retired and committed to serving the needs of the Flinders Island community.
I am proud of the achievements that we have made over the last four years with councillors and Council staff working together, collaboratively. I have relished the opportunity to represent the community and now want to build on that, this time as mayor. We have a strong, committed and involved community who deserve a leader who will put the common good ahead of their own. I will be a mayor who engages and listens to the views of the entire community, not just their own echo-chamber.
Vote #1 Rachel Summers for councillor and mayor - integrity, experience and fact-based decision making.