The State Government’s decision to take the reins of local government elections will be an expensive one for Glen Innes ratepayers, with the election projected to cost 80 per cent more than the last one in 2004, which was run by the local council.

“We budgeted for $40,000 for the previous election and have had the indication that the cost for this year’s election may be seventy odd thousand,” Glen Innes Severn Council General Manager Hein Basson said.

Mr Basson also said the issue had been discuss at the Local Governments and Shires Association conference.

“All councils are in the same situation. We are now awaiting further advice from the Shires Association before we will consider our options further.

“We are hopeful of hearing back from them in August,” he said.

Mayor Steve Toms felt the decision by the State Government to take over the campaign was undoubtedly a bad one for the well-being of local councils.

“The increase in local government costs would be a negative for sure. It would have been nice for the State Government to finance it if they want to take over,” he said.

Further amendments to the Elections Funding and Disclosures Act 1981 require councillors to now have an official agent to manage campaign expenses if they exceed $1,000.

Cr Toms said this change was not likely to have an impact locally as he felt it was not common for a councillor in this local government area to spend such an amount on their campaign.