Bathurst Regional Council has notified the NSW Electoral Commission of the vacancy left by former Mayor, Jess Jennings, who resigned last week, effective immediately.
A countback election will now take place to fill the position, with all potential candidates to be contacted by the NSW Electoral Commission in the next 28 days.
The countback election will be run using the existing ballot papers from September’s election. The preferences given to vacating councillor Jess Jennings will now be allocated to the candidate with the next highest preference on that ballot paper, General Manager, David Sherley confirmed.
Mr Sherley said the vacancy will be filled within the NSW Electoral Commission’s 49 day election period timeframe and will have no impact on sitting councillors or the recent mayoral election.
Councillor Jennings served on Council for 12 years and most recently served as the Mayor up until September this year.
Mr Sherley thanked Councillor Jennings for service to Council and the community.