Voting instructions and candidate statements for Central Highlands Council.
Voting is compulsory. Your vote must be received by 2pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026
Don’t delay – late votes won’t be counted!
There are 2 elections being held for Central Highlands Council:
As well as this booklet, your postal ballot pack contains:
Your ballot paper envelope is designed to keep your identity separate from your vote.
Successful candidates for mayor and deputy mayor must also be elected as councillors to be able to accept these offices. The elected councillors, mayor and deputy mayor will serve until October 2030.
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 27 October 2026.
Don’t delay, late votes can’t be counted. Failure to vote may incur a fine.
Follow these five easy steps:
Candidates were invited to provide a statement and photo for your consideration. Statements are reproduced here as provided by the candidate.
Statements appear in alphabetical order but the order of names on ballot papers is rotated.
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 4 in 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 Central Highlands Council office.
I’m from a multigenerational family that has seen what works & what doesn’t work. To capture the benefits of the growing economy, we must implement the Structure & Strategic Plans that council has done to attract more residents & ratepayers. More residents & ratepayers means more council revenue, more & better services; available to whoever wants to use them. It does not mean higher rates. The Central Highlands Council must raise its profile across the whole state as we are a key component in how TAS works with critically important agricultural, tourism & power generation assets.
As a lifelong Central Highlands resident, farmer, company director, and Councillor, I bring local experience and independent judgement to Council. I am committed to strong governance, practical common-sense decisions, responsible land use, and protecting our rural lifestyle. My focus remains on wise financial management, better local services, key infrastructure, and supporting local agriculture. Fellow councillors describe me as approachable, calm in a crisis, and effective at solving problems. I ask for your vote to continue delivering results for our community. Vote Anthony Archer
It has been an honour and a privilege serving you for the past 12 years. Please Vote 1 for Robert Louis Cassidy in two places: 1 Mayor and 1 Councillor. Integrity is my #1 value. You will be represented equally, regardless if you are local or not. The Central Highlands is our home. I will continue to advocate to federal and state parliamentarians, for what our municipality needs. Your vote equals trust in my leadership skills. Developed from world class experience as an Army officer and Jumbo Jet Captain. You can also count on me for good governance and transparency. Thanks for your two votes.
Working for our community, I will listen carefully to residents concerns and advocate for their needs. As a councillor, I will strive to be open, honest and work collaboratively with all residents to achieve an outcome that keep the interests of all of our community at heart. We as a community need to focus on our future whilst being mindful and respectful of our heritage. I will stand up for our Towns, families, businesses and community groups and future generations, ensuring their voices are heard and our unique region receives the attention and opportunities we deserve. Time for change.
I have represented the Central Highlands as a Councillor since 2022. If re-elected, I will continue to be approachable and a strong practical voice for the Central Highlands, ensuring the Council delivers on the basics—the 3 R's: Roads, Rates, Rubbish and services while planning for the future and with tourism, businesses, events, volunteers, sustainability and growth. As a Highlander who grew up here, worked and raised my family also established a business and home in Bothwell, I am committed to our municipality's and its future, having local knowledge to serve our community as Deputy Mayor.
I am running for re-election as Councillor for the Central Highlands in the up coming election. I am reliable, dependable, honest, trustworthy person and I treat everyone with the respect they deserve. I enjoy helping people, sewing, crafts and being part of a team. I have driven the School Bus between Miena and Bothwell for 39 years and been part of local committees over this time. I have also been an australia post delivery person for quite awhile which I enjoy as well.
Are you wanting a better performance and direction from your Council? I am contesting this election not only for Councillor but also for Mayor because I believe there is a widely held view that current Council (including its leadership) has become jaded, distracted and divided by bickering, less effective than it should be, and in urgent need of fresh faces. I have wide-ranging and successful experience in career and community leadership positions and, if elected, will pursue a more open, transparent, financially accountable, and truly representative style of discussion and decision-making.
I was elected during the 2025 by-election and have learnt a lot during my time as a councillor, enjoying working with the Mayor and Council. I was raised in Hamilton and continue to live here, work locally and run my own business. I have strong ties to the Central Highlands with many family and friends living here. My background includes working with children and local schools, food service, catering, and tourism accommodation. A business owner, I have received medals at the Royal Tasmanian Fine Foods Awards, I value honesty, transparency and supporting our community
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Born and raised in Bothwell, I know and love the Central Highlands and understand our community needs. With proven leadership, local knowledge and experience as Mayor and Councillor, I will keep standing up for affordable rates, reliable health and community services, safer roads, stronger digital connectivity, local jobs, education and training, seniors, people with disability, and our rural community townships. Good leadership means listening, acting responsibly and delivering practical results. I ask for your support to keep building a strong, connected and sustainable Central Highlands.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC) publishes candidate statements and photographs under section 284 of the Local Government Act 1993. It does so in line with published requirements determined by the Commission, which apply equally to all candidates.
Statements and photographs are optional and must meet the published requirements for inclusion. Each candidate is allocated the same amount of space, whether or not a statement or photograph appears.
Statements are the candidates’ own words, and they are responsible for their content and accuracy. The TEC does not verify factual claims or endorse what a candidate says.
The TEC makes only limited, standard changes needed for consistent publication of candidate statements and photographs. It does not otherwise correct, rewrite or alter a candidate statement, or change a candidate’s appearance.
If a statement or photograph does not meet the approved requirements for publication, the TEC contacts the candidate and, where publication timelines allow, gives them one opportunity to provide a replacement.