Pursuant to the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, Council is required to go into caretaker role during the four weeks prior to the election to ensure that major decisions are not made which would limit the actions of an incoming council.

Major decisions include:

- Entering into any contract or undertaking involving an expenditure or receipt by the council of an amount equal to or greater than $150,000 or 1% of the council’s revenue from rates in the preceding financial year (whichever is the larger).

- Determining a controversial development application, except where a failure to make such a determination would give rise to a deemed refusal, or such a deemed refusal arose before the commencement of the caretaker period. The term “controversial development application” is defined as one for which at least 25 persons have made submissions by way of objection.

- Appointing or renewing the appointment of the General Manager or terminating their employment. (This does not include the appointment of an acting or temporary

General Manager).

Council has two scheduled ordinary meetings during this period and any decisions must be made in accordance with the legislated caretaker provisions.