Elections

You are eligible to vote in a Local Government Election if:

• you are a resident of the Shire Augusta Margaret River and are enrolled to vote in State elections; or
• you own or occupy rateable property in the Shire, and have made a successful eligibility claim
• The electoral roll closes for Local Government Elections at 5.00pm Friday 22 August 2025.

To check if your electoral details are up to date please visit the Australian Electoral Commission or Western Australian Electoral Commission. 

Residents

•    If you live in the Shire and are enrolled on the State Electoral Roll, you’re automatically included on the local government roll.

Non-residents

To be eligible to be enrolled as an owner or occupier, you must:

•    Be enrolled for State elections at an address outside of the Shire.
•    Own rateable property in the Shire.
•    Prove that you have a right of continuous occupation under a lease, tenancy agreement or other legal instrument.
•    Complete and have accepted by the Shire, a Form 2, 2A, 2B or 2C (depending on which type of claim is being made).

Visit Elections WA to:

• Check your enrolment
• Update your details
• Enrol for the first time

Enrolment closes: 5pm, Friday 22 August 2025 

This election will be conducted by postal vote.

Ballot packages will be posted by the WAEC on 12 September 2025.

They will include an envelope to return via post, alternatively you can come into the Margaret River or Augusta offices during opening hours and place in the ballot box.

Councillors play a vital role in shaping the future of our community. They:

• Represent the interests of residents and ratepayers
• Provide strategic leadership
• Advocate for community needs
• Make decisions on local services, planning and infrastructure

We encourage nominations from people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures, ages and genders.

To nominate you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be an Australian citizen or a British subject prior to 26 January 1984
• Be an elector of the district
• If a current council member, have a term that ends on election day, unless you are standing for mayor or president directly elected by the public
• Have completed the mandatory Local Government Candidate Induction available on the Department's website.

To nominate for Council, candidates are required to do the following:

• Complete the mandatory online Local Government Candidate Induction Course prior to nominating
• Complete the nomination form and candidate profile. It is recommended that candidates use the Western Australian Electoral Commission’s Nomination Builder to complete the nomination form and candidate profile
• (Optional) provide a recent passport sized photograph
• (Optional) provide a written statement in English of up to 2,000 characters (including spaces) containing additional information to support your nomination. This will be published on the Shire's website
• Pay a nomination deposit of $100
• Lodge their nomination with the Returning Officer by 4pm Thursday 4 September 2025. 

Note for Candidates: Please ensure your profile and optional statement are clear, factual and respectful. The Returning Officer may request amendments if content does not meet legal or ethical standards.

Candidates in local government elections must be aware of their legislative obligations in relation to the disclosure of gifts leading up to the local government elections.

Part 5A of the Local Government (Elections) Regulations 1997 requires candidates to disclose information about any electoral related gift with a value of $300 or more that was given or promised during the disclosure period (being six months before election day).

Electoral gifts
A "gift" means a disposition of property, or the conferral of any financial benefit, made by one person in favour of another.

It can include:

• A gift of money
• A gift which is non-monetary but of value
• A gift in kind or where there is inadequate financial consideration such as the receipt of a discount (where the difference or the discount is worth more than $300)
• A financial or other contribution to travel
• The provision of a service for no consideration or for inadequate consideration
• A firm promise or agreement to give a gift at some future time.

It is important to note that a gift could be one or more gifts from the same donor that has a combined value of $300 or more.

A "gift" does not include a gift by will; a gift from a relative; a gift that does not relate to the candidate's candidature; or the provision of volunteer labour.

Crowdfunding
Candidates may opt to receive donations via a crowdfunding platform. The same rules apply to crowdfunding as with any other electoral gift. Candidates must bear in mind that receiving donations from anonymous donors is not permitted. If candidates choose to set up a donation page they must clearly inform potential donors of the disclosure conditions - that a name and address is provided by each donor. 

Disclosure of electoral gifts
Candidates are required to disclose information about any electoral related gift with a value of $300 or more that is given or promised within the disclosure period. It is essential that candidates be aware of this legislative requirement and should advise of their reporting responsibilities.

Disclosure period
Within three days of nomination, any candidate in a local government election is required to disclose any gifts received within the disclosure period prior to nomination. The disclosure period commences six months prior to Election Day.

The disclosure period concludes 3 days after election day for unsuccessful candidates or for successful candidates on the start day for financial interest returns.

The start day is the day of the declaration by the Elected Member.

How a disclosure is made
All disclosures are to be made on a LG09A Disclosure of Gifts form and delivered to the Shire’s Chief Executive Officer within three days of receiving the gift, once your candidate nomination has been made to the Returning Officer.

Information to be supplied includes the name of the candidate, the name and address of the donor, the date the gift was promised and received, the value of the gift and a description of the gift.

Electoral Gift Register

• Date: Wednesday 20 August 2025
• Time: 5pm – 5.45pm
• Location: Council Chambers, Margaret River

No registration required.

This session will provide an overview of the role of a Councillor, the nomination process and what to expect if elected.

Hosted by: WALGA, DLGIRS, and the WA Electoral Commission

• Date: Monday 18 August 2025
• Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
• Location: Online via Zoom

Speakers include: Hon. Hannah Beazley MLA, Karen Chappel AM JP, and others

This free session will cover:

• Election processes
• Responsibilities of Council Members
• Regulatory roles and expectations

Register now: WALGA Candidate Webinar Registration

Contact: [email protected] or (08) 9213 2514

Yes. If you are enrolled to vote in State or Federal elections for your residential address outside the Shire, and you own or lease rateable property within the Shire, you may be eligible to vote as an owner or occupier elector. You’ll need to submit an eligibility claim to the Shire.

For full eligibility details and requirements, visit the WA Electoral Commission website or refer to the Owners and Occupiers Enrolment Eligibility Guidelines.

Ballot packages will be mailed out mid-September.

If you don’t receive your ballot paper

Or

- You made a mistake on your ballot
- Your ballot got lost
- You (accidentally) threw out your ballot

Replacement ballot papers are available from the Margaret River and Augusta Shire Offices during opening hours.

Yes, but all material must include authorisation details and comply with WAEC rules.