Voting instructions and candidate statements for Southern Midlands 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 Southern Midlands 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 17 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 3 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 3 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 Southern Midlands Council office.
With 12 years on council 8 as Mayor or Deputy Mayor, I know Local Government, guiding your Council to a position of financial strength. My focus is on quality roads, great community recreational facilities, opportunities for childcare, and the challenges of waste and the environment. I am about family, farming, junior footy, festivals, TFS, my local primary school, and as a lawyer, access to justice. Married and having a son 11, I’m with new families and their desire for community livability, while respecting the heritage of a district I’ve long been a part of.
As a current councillor, I am proud to serve our growing Southern Midlands community. Residential developments in Campania, Kempton, Bagdad and Oatlands are strengthening our towns. If re-elected, I will support the infrastructure our communities and local businesses need. I understand the pressure rising living costs place on families and have consistently supported lower rate increases. Our rates compare very favourably with similar local councils. I will continue to support the lowest possible rate increases while maintaining essential services and planning responsibly for our future.
As a lifelong Southern Midlands resident, councillor for the past 4 years and member of a fourth-generation farming family, I understand our community’s strengths and challenges. With 45+ years in business, government and community service, I will keep listening and working for practical outcomes: safer communities and roads, reliable services, fair rates, responsible financial management, local business support, better facilities for young and older residents, and a stronger, more connected community that respects our rural heritage.
Living in Tasmania for 9 years, I’m in the Southern Midlands because of its character amenity and strong community. As a heritage architect and small business owner my priorities include preserving the fabric, protecting landscape and promoting our shared history. Growth should benefit residents, businesses and our rural producers enhancing livability and amenity, still attracting visitation. I will advocate sensible management, growth and prosperity for this area and will listen, understand and promote within Council your needs and concerns always working for fellow residents and businesses.
Treat everyone as equal (wherever possible). Make council more user friendly (especially for the young). Reduce red tape, keep rates down, expand the road budget. Allow landholders to subdivide 5-acre blocks of land for their young thus keeping the young in the municipality. Working dogs should only have to be registered once for the life of the dog. Want to know more email 2andoverbob@gmail.com
As a lifelong resident of Bagdad, I understand the Southern Midlands and the values that make communities strong. After 50 years delivering road maintenance and civil projects across Tasmania, 40 in senior leadership I bring practical experience in planning, responsible spending and sound decision making. I will listen, ask the right questions work constructively to deliver fair outcomes, support local communities create opportunities for future generations to live, work in their local areas.
I have lived in the Oatlands district my entire life. I worked in banking for 26 years and currently work as an Administrative Officer for the Oatlands District Homes Assoc. and help operate our family farm at Pawtella. If re-elected I will continue to put emphasis on being approachable to all community members. Through my many voluntary roles in the community, I feel I have a very good understanding of the issues that are important over the whole municipality. I seek your support to build on Council's successes. Please consider me for your No. 1 vote for deputy mayor and councillor.
We live in a great community! I am making time to stand for councillor in the southern midlands municipality. I was born, raised and educated in Oatlands. I am now running a business and raising a family here. With your vote I will support our community too continue with the great projects and events that are part of this municipality as well as support new ideas. Along with maintaining our roads, streetscapes and general services. I am proud of what the southern midlands has achieved and wish to be part of the next chapter. Vote 1 Andrew Fish for councillor
I have been on the Southern Midlands Council for 23 years. I am chairperson of the community shed, the facilities and recreation committee and Lake Dulverton Committee. I am a dedicated councillor and welcome the opportunity to discuss any issues that matter to you. I am a successful farmer, forester and former shearer, with a strong understanding of rural life.
No candidate statement.
In 2018 I purchased a cottage in historic Oatlands and met with residents to discuss many issues that affect them in their daily activities. It is important to have the right balance for a fairer distribution of resources for the farming sector and for the residents living in the outlying villages and towns. I’ve had many years of experience representing residents/ratepayers in a large suburban and coastal council and can use that experience to work for you in the interest of the Southern Midlands community. I seek your vote for election as councillor with the Southern Midlands Council.
I’m seeking election because we live in one of the best places in the world and I want to make sure everyone can say the same down the track. With my background, qualifications (BCom) and experience as an accountant, company director, small business operator, and treasurer with community organisations in the Southern Midlands, I can support Council with responsible financial management, good governance, and connection to our community. I’m absolutely willing to invest time and energy into ensuring the Southern Midlands becomes an even better place to live. With your support I know we can!
I’m Peter Metz, eighteen from Bagdad and running for Deputy Mayor & Councillor of the Southern Midlands as an Independent. I’m a member of One Nation, and have enjoyed politics from a younger age. I’m head cashier at a multi franchise retail store, and conduct my work thoroughly and passionately. I will be supporting continuing work to advance our infrastructure, while seeing to it we have a greater economic backbone. Ensuring this, we can trust our homeland can continue to prosper. Consider voting me, Peter J. Metz, Deputy Mayor of the Southern Midlands Council. Instagram @peterspoliticstas
I live and farm in Colebrook, employ locals and work in not-for-profit community services. I'm standing for Mayor and Councillor to serve the whole Southern Midlands. I will work to keep rates down, improve roads and public amenities, strengthen mobile and internet connectivity, and advocate for our farmers' access to water. Every town and rural community deserves fair attention and responsible council spending. I will listen to residents, explain my decisions and work for practical improvements that give future generations the services they need. Vote 1 Fraser Miller for Mayor and Councillor.
James Pearce 24 – Candidate for Southern Midlands Council As a lifelong Southern Midlands resident, I am passionate about our community and its future. I am standing for council to bring a fresh perspective and a people-first approach to local government. My priorities are supporting our younger generation, improving community infrastructure, and keeping rates at a manageable level. As a former Student Representative Council member, I understand the importance of having a voice. I am committed to listening to residents and advocating for practical outcomes that benefit our community.
Hello, I’m Amalea Smolcic, a small businessperson and local artist. My family has called the Coal River Valley home for decades, and I've seen the Southern Midlands grow a lot in that time. I want to preserve the distinct histories and identities of our towns while helping shape their future. My work in business and community events has given me experience bringing people together. I’m standing for Southern Midlands Council to put that experience to work for you, offer a new perspective and fresh energy, and help our communities remain vibrant places for everyone.
I have lived and worked in the community for 45+ years and have personal experience of the rental market and the struggles of everyday living. For 10 years I have volunteered for Vinnies as Conference President offering Emergency Assistance and support. I also have an interest in Mental Health and Neurodivergence. I look forward to working with elected council members to ensure everyone is heard and valued. I will be available to listen to your concerns and suggestions on how our council can benefit you and your community. I welcome your support.
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.