Voting instructions and candidate statements for Kentish 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 Kentish 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 11 in order of your choice. Number at least 5 boxes to make your vote count.
For the election of deputy mayor, number the boxes 1 and 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 Kentish Council office.
Living in Kentish 30 yrs. My passion for community sustainability led Doug and I to be involved in establishing The Kentish Voice in 2013, and being awarded Kentish Citizens of the year in 2023. I have extensive small business experience in construction, farming and hospitality, and as a Company Director. Kentish brings together a diverse range of unique local communities. My focus is equity for support and sustainable development. I support Resource Sharing but have a strong desire to see Kentish retain its own governance.
Kentish has been my family home for four generations. I bring experience and local knowledge. My priorities are simple: support local business; represent the farming community; cut council red tape where possible; keep rates and costs under control; address community safety issues; ensure ongoing maintenance of our aging road network; continually question to ensure council delivers value and gets the basics right; explore solutions to illegal rubbish dumping; listen to residents and ask questions. Ratepayers come first!
COLEMAN, JODI Candidate for Councillor I was employed by Kentish Council from 2003 until 2024, primarily working in the Finance Department as the rates officer. During this time I also performed various other roles within Finance and Customer Service. As a member of the community for over 26 years, I have seen first-hand the issues that are important to Kentish residents and I am extremely interested in maintaining and developing Kentish's social, economic and environmental assets. Vote 1 for Jodi Coleman as Councillor to enable me to represent you.
I’ve lived in Railton for 14 years. Kentish has been very good to me, with loverly people and plenty of opportunities. I’ve been a local fire fighter & Brigade Chief for 3 years. I am a trainer of volunteer fire fighters & a member of the Kentish Lions Club, currently their Child Safety Officer. Presently I operate the local garage as a qualified motor mechanic. I enjoy working with the community, your number 1 vote, if elected, will give you good representation. My work ethic has always been, an all in approach. Thank You.
It has been a privilege to be your council representative for the past 12 years including 4 years as Mayor. I have lived in Sheffield for 46 years with my husband, Mike. I am on the board of Tandara, Kentish ACT and KaLIBA and have been a member of the Sheffield School Association for 38 years having taught in the school for 40 years. I believe I have the professional experience and knowledge to fulfill the roles of Councillor and Mayor and I will continue to work with a committed and enthusiastic approach to ensure Kentish remains a thriving municipality. Thank you for your number 1 vote.
I am seeking re-election as a councillor in Kentish. I was first elected 4 years ago and I remain committed and deeply care for this beautiful area of Tasmania. I have lived in Kentish for 14 years and I am passionate for the well-being of the residents of Kentish. As a paramedic, I understand the importance of healthy and happy communities with Kentish being the home of many amazing walks and reserves, including world renowned places such as Cradle Mountain. With your vote I look forward to working hard as your representative on council and to make Kentish a must see destination.
Living in Kentish all my life. Married to Maree with 2 sons and 5 grandchildren. I am on the various committees in Kentish - Sheffield RSL Wellbeing Officer 2024-26, Kentish Men's Shed 2025-26, Council Delegate for Mount Roland Land Care, Claude Road Hall, Kentish Economic Development Committee. If elected I will work to ensure the best outcome for our growing Kentish region with new Developments in Tourism, Recreation, Farming, Cottage industries for long term work. I will listen to your views for best in Kentish. Please Vote 1
I would like to introduce myself, Phillip Richards (a current Councillor). I have lived and worked in Kentish all my life and currently run a family farm business with my wife. I am proud of being part of a stable local council and work well as team to achieve positive outcomes for our community. I am good listener and bring a common-sense approach when working with council. I would like to work with other councillors on a proactive program for; maintenance of our road system , also to work for more opportunities in Kentish through the Mersey/Leven alliance. I would like ask for your number
As a Sheffield resident, former business owner and former Kentish Council employee, I bring experience in tourism, events, hospitality, business, governance and community engagement. Kentish needs leadership that listens to residents, supports local businesses, respects what works and is prepared to think differently. If elected, I will bring fresh ideas, ask thoughtful questions and support positive, constructive change through transparent decision-making, responsible spending, sound planning, reliable services and infrastructure, and sustainable growth across the Kentish municipality.
I’m standing for Council because Kentish thrives when people are heard, supported and able to participate in a strong, connected community. My wife and I chose Sheffield as our home because Kentish reflects the values I grew up with in a small country town. Professionally, I work as a senior consultant with experience across federal and state government, utilities, and education sectors and bring practical, common‑sense decision making. I’ve studied architecture and planning, giving me a practical understanding of how towns grow. I’m here to listen, learn and work constructively for Kentish.
Military service and decades in the workforce taught me duty and plain talk. Living in Sheffield, I hear people want change. I will fight for farms, industry, towns, and every resident to deliver the change people want; no hiding behind bureaucracy; no projects without open, honest engagement; major projects that affect Kentish should reap local benefits; fortnightly open sessions so you can talk to me directly; keep closed meetings to the legal minimum and administer an open online forum. Elect me as councillor to help build a transparent council that listens and acts accordingly.
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.