Lodging a petition with Council

A petition is a formal way for you to bring a matter to the attention of West Tamar Council and ask it to take action.

Petitions are governed by Part 6 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas), which covers petitions, polls and public meetings.

What your petition must include

Under Section 57 of the Act, your petition must contain:

  • A clear, concise statement of the subject and the action you’re asking Council to take.
  • For paper petitions: a heading on every page showing the subject, and a brief statement on every page of the subject and the action requested.
  • The total number of signatories.
  • At the end of the petition:
    • Paper petitions: the full name, address and signature of the person lodging it. A heading, short description of the subject and the requested action must appear on every page containing signatures (Blank signature attachment sheets are invalid).
    • Electronic petitions: the full name and address of the person lodging it, and a statement certifying that the subject and the action requested haven’t been changed since the petition began.

Tips for a petition

  • Keep the wording respectful and factual. Only ask for action that Council has the legal power to take.
  • Each signatory must print their name and address and sign beside them.
  • You can include background information. If it’s on a separate page, mark that page clearly as an addition to the petition.
  • You don’t have to use Council’s template, but it will help you meet all the requirements.

DOWNLOAD THE PETITION TEMPLATE HERE

How to lodge your petition

  1. Present your petition to any Councillor or to the Chief Executive Officer. A Councillor must forward it to the Chief Executive Officer within seven (7) days.
  2. Tabling: the Chief Executive Officer will table the petition at the next ordinary Council meeting.
  3. If it can’t be tabled: a petition won’t be tabled if it doesn’t comply with Section 57, is defamatory, or proposes unlawful action. If this happens, you’ll be told why within 21 days of lodging it.
  4. Council decision: within 42 days of tabling, Council will decide what action to take. You’ll get reasonable notice of the meeting where your petition will be considered.

Petitions seeking a public meeting

  • A petition can ask Council to hold a public meeting about its subject.
  • Council must hold the meeting if the petition complies with Section 57 and is signed by 5 per cent or 1000 electors in the municipal area, whichever is fewer.
  • Only electors of the West Tamar municipal area will be counted in this type of petition.
  • You can’t request a public meeting about rates and charges that have already been made for the current financial year.
  • Council may also choose to hold a public meeting when a petition has fewer signatures than required.
  • The meeting must then be held within 30 days.
  • Before the meeting, Council will:
    • publish a notice with the date, time, place and subject at least twice in a daily newspaper;
    • send a copy of the notice to the person who lodged the petition;
    • invite written submissions, which must be lodged within 21 days of the first notice.
  • A summary of submissions is provided at the meeting. Submissions and any decisions made are recorded in the minutes of the next ordinary Council meeting.

Petitions requesting an elector poll

An elector poll lets electors vote on a question. Council must hold an elector poll if:

  • a petition requesting the poll is received within 30 days after a public meeting held under Section 59 on the same subject; and
  • the petition is signed by at least 5 per cent of electors in the municipal area or 1000 electors, whichever is fewer; and
  • the petition complies with Section 57(2).

The poll may be held with the next ordinary Council election if the person who lodged the petition agrees. This also applies if the petition is received within 60 days before the notice of that election.

The result of an elector poll is not binding on a Council.

Your privacy

Your name and address may appear in Council agendas and minutes, which are public documents. Signatories for public meeting or elector poll petitions may be checked against the electoral roll.

Need help?

Contact Council on 6323 9300 or by email at wtc@wtc.tas.gov.au before you start collecting signatures.

Alternatively, a Councillor may be able to assist you in preparing and presenting a petition.

Councillor contact details are available on our website here.