Media releases

Non-residential voting register closing soon

Published 3 May 2016

The City of Sydney has issued a reminder to thousands of people across Australia and overseas that they must register to vote in the upcoming City council election on Saturday 10 September.

Following NSW Government amendments to the City of Sydney Act, the City is required to create a register containing the details of non-residents who may be entitled to vote at future City of Sydney elections.

This includes owners, occupiers and rate-paying lessees, including corporations, of all rateable land within the City boundaries.

With the 2016 election date for the City now confirmed as 10 September, people are being asked to provide their details for the non-residential register by 14 July.

As part of the campaign, the City is holding drop-in sessions across the local area where people can get more information and determine their eligibility:

  • Customs House – 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay: 16 May from 11.30am–1.30pm and 24 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm
  • Chinatown Tourism Information Kiosk – corner of Dixon and Goulburn streets, Haymarket: 19 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm and 27 May from 11.30am–1.30pm
  • Surry Hills Library – 405 Crown Street, Surry Hills: 17 May from 11.30am–1.30pm and 25 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm
  • Paddington Library – 247 Oxford Street, Paddington: 17 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm and 25 May from 11.30am–1.30pm
  • Glebe Neighbourhood Service Centre and Library – 186 Glebe Point Road, Glebe: 18 May from 11.30am–1.30pm and 23 May from 11.30am–1.30pm
  • Union Square – Harris Street, Pyrmont: 20 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm and 26 May from 11.30am–1.30pm
  • East Village Shopping Centre – 4 Defries Avenue, Zetland: 19 May from 11.30am–1.30pm and 27 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm
  • Redfern Neighbourhood Centre – 158 Redfern Street, Redfern: 16 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm and 24 May from 11.30am–1.30pm
  • Newtown – King Street at Bucknell Street closure, Newtown: 20 May from 11.30am–1.30pm and 26 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm
  • Kings Cross Neighbourhood Service Centre – 50–52 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross: 18 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm and 23 May from 2.30pm–4.30pm
The City has written to 140,000 ratepayers and businesses explaining how the new laws expand the pool of people required to vote. The letters urge potential first-time voters to visit the City’s election website or call its hotline to find out if they are required to provide information for the register.

It has also advertised in local and national newspapers, on radio and online, to urge people and corporations who rent, lease or own properties in the City of Sydney area to find out if they are required to register.

While the new laws have been labelled ‘business voting’ laws because of the new obligations for businesses to vote, they also make voting compulsory for some people who may not regard themselves as business people, including owners of residential investment properties.

The City asks anyone who thinks the new laws may apply to them or someone they know to check their eligibility as soon as possible by:

For media inquiries, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Keeley Irvin. Phone 0448 005 718 or email kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au