Voting instructions and candidate statements for West Coast 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 West Coast 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 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 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 West Coast Council office.
I am seeking re-election because I believe in the West Coast, our communities, people, and future. I bring experience in local government, mining, safety, training and Emergency Services, together with service through TFS and Lions. I have served with SES and Ambulance Tasmania and have 30 years’ volunteer service with TFS. I will listen and advocate for better infrastructure, essential services, jobs, investment, and opportunity. I want to build a stronger, safer West Coast while protecting character, heritage and values that make our region unique. I believe in putting the West Coast First.
Better health and wellbeing for our communities, our elderly and disabled, I am a carer, so I get it. Creating pathways to career opportunities to keep our local communities together is very important to me. Enable housing stock renewal, access to land, and growing our local workforce are high priority. I am invested in our community and business and entrepreneurial opportunity is imperative to our future. I am collaborating to keep our kids out of the youth justice system and evolve our preschool education after school opportunities. If you agree with me vote 1 Kerry for Councillor.
I am a proud, born and raised local West Coaster, and have dedicated my life to serving my community through varying voluntary, personal and business activities, including current four years’ service as Councillor. I want to invoke and implement change through strong adherence to compliance, transparency and assurance of resident participation in decision making processes. I want to put the West Coast back on the map.
I have called the West Coast home for over three years and love this amazing community. I talk to people every day and know it is time for change, and a common-sense approach. I am running because I believe in active leadership. I am not here to just make up the numbers or blend into the crowd. I understand how government operates at all levels and will use that knowledge to deliver for us. If elected, I promise real transparency, and I will advocate for Council to keep the public proactively informed about all actions and projects. I will focus on getting things done. Vote 1 Geoff Hill.
I have lived and worked on the West Coast as a Diesel Fitter since 1996. Recently celebrating 30 years as a proud West Coaster and 20 years working for a local contractor supporting the mining energy and aquaculture industries in our region. As a big supporter of the Macquarie Heads site holders and recreation in general I will be a strong voice securing a further 10-year lease for the site holders. I will advocate strongly for long awaited footpath kerbing, and open drain works throughout our towns along with works to the gravel roads in our region. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
Over the past four years I’ve worked hard to understand the complexities of local government and how to make it work better for our communities. Now I want to use that experience and a strong, informed voice to help get projects completed, plan properly for what comes next and deliver real outcomes. I’ll continue to be a strong voice for our community, our businesses and, importantly, our young people. The work isn’t always easy, but I’m ready for the journey and excited about our West Coast future. VOTE 1 – ANNIE MCKAY
The West Coast is a place shaped by resilience, industries, and a strong sense of community; qualities worth protecting and building on. To do this, Council needs clear priorities, measurable outcomes, and strong accountability. Wherever possible, decisions should be made openly, with the voices of West Coasters - old and new - at the heart of every choice. My commitment is straightforward: sound governance, value for money, and better outcomes for the West Coast. Born in Queenstown, I raised my children on the West Coast and remain deeply committed to the region.
I am an experienced Councillor born here and always lived here. I ask that you now support me in voting number 1 for both Councillor and Mayor. I have the time to serve all of the West Coast. I believe we can work together to make our communities stronger. Investment and infrastructure are critical for our future. I have a working background in Mining Hospitality Fishing and Education. I have intimate knowledge of NDIS and aged care. I will keep all Councillors well informed and be a strong advocate for you. I ask for your number 1 vote for both Councillor and Mayor. Be safe.
Living and working on the West Coast my entire life, elected to council in 2009 and serving as Deputy Mayor since 2014 & Mayor since 2021 with over 41 years of community volunteer involvement through many organisations I am passionate about the West Coast and our future. I understand all the challenges of our region. If re-elected as Mayor I will promote council’s responsibilities, continue to work with all levels of Government to secure and restore essential services, to enhance our growth through positive promotion of our region’s attributes and equally support our whole community to thrive
The West Coast is more than where I live—it’s a community I’m proud to be part of. I’m passionate about our people, our unique way of life and the incredible beauty that surrounds us. I believe the best results come from listening, working together and being willing to roll up your sleeves and get involved. If elected to West Coast Council, I’ll bring a team-first attitude, fresh ideas and a genuine commitment to making our community an even better place to live, work and raise a family.
Vote 1 Helen Ryan-Sykes Councillor & Deputy Mayor I understand everyone on the West Coast is experiencing a Cost-of-Living Crisis at home and understand this by listening to you what you want and need in our community. The West Coast needs a new team of Councillors to bring your towns back to prosperity and a local economy enjoyed by all that live here and visit. Let me be part of this to help you bring the West Coast Vision back to life building it together for us all. For Integrity and Transparency Let us all work together! Vote Hope. Vote Change. Vote Helen https://helenryansykes.com/
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.