Voting instructions and candidate statements for Waratah-Wynyard 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 Waratah-Wynyard 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 12 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 5 in order of your choice. Number at least one box 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 Waratah-Wynyard Council office.
No candidate statement.
It has been an absolute honour to serve our Waratah-Wynyard municipality over the last 8 years, and with the last 4 as your Deputy Mayor. I am a person of continued integrity, with strong values, high community standards and I am committed to always putting our community first. My strength and resilience have been proven over my time as your representative, where I have stood up for what is right and showed strong leadership. My diverse experiences have enabled me to be an active contributor around our Council table. I will continue being your voice as councillor and Deputy Mayor. Thank you!
I am committed to listening to the needs of the community so we can together make Waratah-Wynyard the pride of the state. I have been a part of the community for over 60 years and have seen the area grow and change over time. I am passionate about representing the elderly and disabled, supporting new opportunities for local youth, prioritising the environment, encouraging local tourism, and promoting physical and mental health. The people in this community have given me so much over the years and I really want to give back to you by spending my time listening and advocating to your needs.
I want Waratah-Wynyard to be the best place to raise a family within a safe and connected community. With 20 years’ experience running successful businesses, I bring strong leadership and will be a positive spokesperson for our municipality. My focus will be sensible spending and securing project funding, while listening to our community, creating opportunities for young people and protecting our coastal and rural lifestyle. “Chloe has what it takes to lead Waratah-Wynyard Council with integrity and purpose.” — Dr Mary Duniam “I for one, will be voting for Chloe Foster as Mayor.” — Robby Walsh
I’m Laura Johnson OAM, a young, proud local, social worker, youth, mental health and suicide prevention advocate, and founder and CEO of a not-for-profit community organisation. I’m putting my hand up for Waratah-Wynyard Council to bring fresh ideas, strong community representation and a different perspective to the table. I want to help build a community where people can connect, people have a genuine voice, local organisations are supported and our community continues to grow. I’m ready to bring my experience, energy and commitment to Council to showcase the amazing place Waratah-Wynyard is.
I am seeking re-election as Councillor and your support for my first term as Mayor. I’m committed to listening, taking action, and working with our community to achieve positive results. As Mayor, I will make the role full-time, being available to hear your concerns and priorities. I have proudly served our community through council, sporting roles, community events and helping those in need. I won’t promise the world, but I commit to work hard, listen and deliver where I can. A lifelong local, dedicated family man, I am passionate about making Waratah-Wynyard the best it can be. Thank you.
For 23 years, my wife, Cyndia, and I have proudly called Waratah-Wynyard home. As a local business owner and qualified accountant, I will ensure ratepayers get real value for every single dollar. I am running for Council to champion smart financial operations, foster a healthy local economy, and build safer, stronger community connections. I believe a collaborative, respectful, and considered council team delivers the best long-term outcomes for our municipality. Let’s build better together. Vote 1 Justin McErlain. Read my full plan via this weblink.
I am a current councillor of 4 years and now I am a candidate for Mayor and seeking re -election as a councillor. I have 5 drivers that I know from experience will lead to a strong Council: I will focus on Strong Strategies, Policies and Procedures; Communication and Engagement with the Community; Good Governance & very tight meeting procedures; Working as a Team; and A Futures Focus. My values are Equity, Integrity, Impartiality, Respect, Responsiveness and Accountability. My strong experienced leadership will result in a focused Council and better outcomes for community.
I am a Waratah-Wynyard local, having grown up in Wynyard and Myalla and now living in Somerset. Community has been my life's work. As a sitting Councillor, former Council Youth & Recreation Officer and CEO of Cradle Coast Care, I bring decades of experience across community, local government and business. I believe strong leadership means listening to our people, making responsible decisions and working together to build a municipality every community can be proud of. My lifelong passion is community; my lifelong commitment is absolute.
No candidate statement.
I live in Waratah, and I'm an ordinary bloke putting my hand up for our community. I've worked across Australia in construction, served for many years as a union delegate, earned a degree in business, run my own business and volunteer with local community groups. Those experiences have taught me to listen, represent people and find practical solutions. I believe in an accountable Council, value for ratepayers and strong support for local businesses and community groups. I'm prepared to listen, learn, ask questions and work hard for the whole Waratah-Wynyard municipality.
Hi im Trent Wells, im seeking to become a councillor for the Waratah-Wynyard municipality. I believe that I bring common-sense, independent thinking and strong problem-solving skills. For those who don’t know me I grew up in this municipality along with my wife Antonia. We’ve been married for nearly 30 years, I own a farming and excavation business and have proudly volunteered with the Tasmania Fire Service for over 20 years. I want to help keep our towns, businesses, communities and rural sector strong and thriving. I bring a fresh approach and a new set of ears. Backing the community.
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.