Voting instructions and candidate statements for Derwent Valley 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 3 elections being held for Derwent Valley 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 20 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 6 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 9 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 Derwent Valley Council office.
I don’t just show up for election time. Year-round I work for hard for those who feel unheard and dismissed. Every year we hear promises on roads, rates and rubbish. Then we hear nothing except excuses and never any solutions. I put my hand up because people are fed up and no one’s standing up for them. I want a council that puts the whole Valley first and actually follows through. The Derwent valley has enormous potential but has been consistently let down, we need to change that. This election isn’t about candidates, promises and slogans. It’s about putting the valley first.
My name is Neil Biggar and I'm standing for Council because I care about the Derwent Valley and the people who live and work here. I'm approachable, I listen, and I'm not afraid to speak up. I want to support local businesses, community groups and residents, and help make the Valley an even better place to live and work. I'm proud to be loyal to local and committed to building a positive future for the whole Derwent Valley.
Isn't it exciting that you get to vote for people who will represent your interests? I was a council manager/officer for 39 years and the past 4 years as your councillor. This unmatched combination of operational expertise and proven elected leadership means I know exactly how to deliver real results for our community. My core values are road maintenance, asset management, financial sustainability and keeping rate increases reasonable. I am dedicated to keeping our budget sound while upgrading essential infrastructure. Please consider me for your number 1 vote for Councillor and Deputy Mayor.
Hi, my name is Luke, and I have lived in the valley all my life with strong family and community ties. My kids go to school here. I am embedded in this place and acutely aware of the challenges it faces. The investment ratepayers have made in me over the last two terms, has given me invaluable insight, experience and tools required to face these challenges. My focus is on the path forward, highlighting the importance of communication, accountability, sustainability and structural strategic planning. Please help me continue to be your voice and put me number 1 for councillor and deputy mayor.
I’m putting my hand up because I believe local government should be about people, not politics. I’m a proud Tasmanian, born and raised in the Derwent Valley, a mum of three and a dedicated volunteer who works in community and social services. My work and life experience have taught me to listen, lead, problem-solve and advocate for others. I know our community and care deeply about where we live. I’m not afraid to ask the hard questions and stand up for what’s right. I want a connected council that represents our community, gives residents a real voice and makes us proud of where we come from.
I’m Nick Cooley, a lifelong local putting my hand up for Derwent Valley Council. I grew up in Lachlan, attended local schools, worked, volunteered throughout the Valley, and now live at Molesworth with my young family. I’m passionate about our Valley and believe Council needs a fresh perspective. One that is accountable, transparent and listens to its community. We should respect our past while investing confidently in our future. We won’t always agree, but we can disagree respectfully, bring people together and focus on making the Derwent Valley a better place to live. Our Valley, Our Future
For the past four years, I've had the privilege of serving as a Derwent Valley Councillor, representing a community I'm proud to call home. I believe leadership means turning up, listening and getting the job done. I'm prepared to ask the hard questions, stand up for what's right and work respectfully with others to achieve the best outcomes. As Deputy Mayor, I'll bring experience, common sense and strong leadership while continuing to advocate for better infrastructure, region wide investment and a Derwent Valley that's a great place to live, work and raise a family.
It has been an honor to serve as Mayor of the Derwent Valley since March 2022. We've strengthened Council, invested in new sporting facilities and progressed Willow Court through subdivision and services. I've been prepared to scrutinize long-standing practices, ask the hard questions, drive change and push for responsible management of the nearly $300 million in community assets in our care. I remain accessible, advocate for the Derwent Valley and our river, and am honest, even when conversations are difficult. I love the Derwent Valley and offer my service as Mayor for another term.
I grew up in the Derwent Valley, built my life here and am raising my family here. I’ve run businesses, helped hundreds of Tasmanians start and grow theirs, and worked with our community to build up the Christmas Parade and revive the Autumn Festival. I’m standing for Mayor and Councillor to build a Council that listens, gives honest answers and helps people get things done. Together, we can plan confidently for housing, roads, services and local jobs while protecting what makes our Valley special. I’m asking for your vote to bring practical, trustworthy and respectful leadership to Council.
I've lived a conservative/colourful steady kind of life. Family first, routine, respect for the old ways. Yet I often speak in a language that some reckon belongs to a different ideological lane. I get the irony. But to me, it's not a contradiction. It is just the mix you get when you care about tradition and fairness. I'd be grateful if you considered giving me your first preference. If this is your first time voting, let us make a bit of history together not by picking sides, but by making an informed choice. 20% of folk who didn't vote last please put pen to paper and post.
I have lived in the Derwent Valley all my life and I am proud and passionate of where I come from. I am an active volunteer in our community and have worked in government and non-government organisations for over 20-years. I believe in making decisions based on facts and in line with regulations and the needs of the community. I will work alongside my fellow Councillors to achieve best value for money services for the benefit of our community. I will always endeavour to communicate and consult with, involve and respect members of our community.
No candidate statement.
I am asking for your support to continue the important work we have undertaken this term and to keep building a strong, fiscally sustainable and well-governed Derwent Valley. I am proud of what we have achieved over four years, particularly the progress in strengthening Council’s policies and procedures. Effective local government means working collaboratively, advocating for our community and delivering practical outcomes that improve everyday life. Realistic decisions today build a more sustainable Council for the Derwent Valley and let's council deliver the projects our community deserves.
I seek your support for election as Councillor and Deputy Mayor. With 14 years experience on Council and membership of local committees has provided me experience and understanding to work with colleagues for our community that expects Council to be open, accessible, transparent and accountable. Your vote is important for our future.
I have spent 23 years working in local government, helping councils serve their communities. Beginning at Derwent Valley Council, I supported the General Manager, Mayor & Councillors. I coordinated hundreds of council agendas/minutes, meetings & events, developing a deep understanding of local decision making & strong governance. My time with the Local Government Association of Tasmania provided insight into the challenges facing councils statewide. I am ready to serve from day one! I am enthusiastic about listening to people & working together to make our municipality a better place.
No candidate statement.
The Derwent Valley has always been home. I previously had the privilege of serving our community as Mayor and Deputy Mayor and have spent much of my life volunteering, advocating and working for our region. I believe in positive leadership, strong advocacy, responsible growth and a Council that backs its community, welcomes good ideas and fights for its fair share. I thought my time on Council was finished, but I believe I still have something to contribute. Perhaps there's some unfinished business. I'm putting my hand up again to help get the Derwent Valley moving forward.
I am standing for both Mayor and Councilor because I believe I have the necessary experience and qualifications. I have worked as a staff member of a Council and as an elected member. The Derwent Valley faces issues not unlike other areas and we need people who are passionate and willing to listen to community and prepared to do the work. This is our community and we all must be prepared to work together. I believe that I have the skills and passion to lead the Council and bring the Councilors together and work as a coordinated team for the community. I promise I will stay the course.
Hello I am standing for the positions of Mayor and Councillor. I have lived in New Norfolk most of my life. My husband and I raised our children here. My priorities are : open and transparent communication between Council and the community, safety on the road, on footpaths, in homes, at work, and long-term financial planning for weather and/or world events, so there would be minimal impact on the community. I won't make promises I can't keep, but I will listen. Thank you.
My name is Brody Wiggins, I have been lucky to call the Derwent valley home since 2018. I currently run a successful small business in High street and have done for the past 5 years. I am big believer on Finish 1 project before starting another, I believe that the populous should have a better understanding and say in how some of our rate paying funds are spent. I would like to see all of our current roads and infrastructure be repaired/restored so that we can handle future growth of our area, before we start any new major projects.
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.