2000 New South Wales local elections explained

The 2000 New South Wales local elections were held from May to December 2000 elect the councils of local government areas (LGAs) of New South Wales, Australia. The elections were all scheduled to be held on 11 September 1999, but were deferred while possible amalgamations were considered.^{[1] [2]}

Background

Deferred elections

Election dates

For newly created LGAs, the elections were scheduled several months after the official proclamation and commencement of operations. A number of councils which deferred elections ultimately did not proceed with amalgamations, and also held elections.^[3]

Amalgamated councils

LGA	Former LGAs	Proclaimed	Commenced operations	Election date	Electors	Councillors	Ref
								Armidale Dumaresq	Armidale Dumaresq				24,811	9
Richmond Valley	Richmond River Casino				20,722	10
Pristine Waters	Nymboida Ulmarra				10,676	9
Canada Bay	Concord Drummoyne				60,926	9	[4]

Non-amalgamated councils

A number of councils which deferred elections ultimately did not proceed with amalgamations, and also held elections throughout 2000.

LGA	Election date	Ref
			South Sydney		[5]
Burwood
Strathfield
Parry
Tamworth
Nundle
Quirindi

Results

The Australian Democrats had their first-ever victory on South Sydney City Council, with Peter Furness elected as a councillor for South Ward.^[6] However, he left the party in April 2003 to join Labor.^{[7] [8]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Annual Report 1999/2000 . Parliament of New South Wales . Department of Local Government . https://web.archive.org/web/20240514063438/https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/tp/files/65277/dlgar00.pdf . 14 May 2024.
2. Web site: Annual Report 2000 . New South Wales Electoral Commission . https://web.archive.org/web/20231201195347/https://elections.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/6bcfe736-99dc-4846-9317-06953508e9e0/election-funding-authority-report-1999-2000.pdf . 1 December 2023 . 9.
3. Web site: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1993 —PROCLAMATION . Trove . Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales . 8 September 2024 . 4,481 . 26 May 2000.
4. Web site: City of Canada Bay . Research Data Australia . 14 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240514075945/https://researchdata.edu.au/agy-6475-city-canada-bay/2753823 . 14 May 2024.
5. Web site: Chesterfield-Evans . Arthur . SOUTH SYDNEY CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS . Parliament of New South Wales . Legislative Council Hansard . https://web.archive.org/web/20240514072851/https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1820781676-21458 . 14 May 2024 . 29 June 2000 . The South Sydney City Council local government election is being held this Saturday..
6. Web site: Costly loss for South Sydney as court rules on council turf war . Sydney Morning Herald . 9 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118010750/https://www.smh.com.au/national/costly-loss-for-south-sydney-as-court-rules-on-council-turf-war-20020831-gdflay.html . 18 November 2023 . 31 August 2002.
7. Web site: Democrats member jumps ship, fires parting shot . ABC News . 8 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161027033703/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-04-11/democrats-member-jumps-ship-fires-parting-shot/1834280 . 27 October 2016 . 11 April 2003.
8. Web site: Furness bounces back to Labor . Star Observer . 8 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221115145337/https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/national-news/new-south-wales-news/furness-bounces-back-to-labor/6837 . 15 November 2022 . 20 April 2003.