Seven candidates vying for Cassowary Coast Regional Council Division 6 Councillor role

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Councillor Kylie Farinelli on 1 June requiring a by-election as determined by the Local Government Act.

Seven candidates are vying for the role including, Antonino Ucchino, John Hutchinson, Renee McLeod, Paul Toogood, Harry Tenni, Barry Anderson, and Wayne Kimberley.

The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) commissioner Pat Vidgen said nominations for the Cassowary Coast Regional Council by-election have closed and the ballot paper order draw has been conducted.

"Cassowary Coast's 3,400 Division 6 electors can vote early at the Innisfail Shire Hall, 70 Rankin Street, between 9am and 6pm from Monday 12 July to Friday 16 July, or vote on election day at the Innisfail East State School and Mourilyan State School between 8am and 6pm on Saturday 17 July," Mr Vidgen said.

"Anyone wishing to postal vote should apply via the ECQ website before the deadline of Monday 5 July and return their completed ballot paper in the reply-paid envelope as soon as possible.

"All voting must take place before 6pm on election day, Saturday 17 July, and the deadline for the ECQ to receive postal votes is Tuesday 27 July."

Mr Vidgen said the voting system for a divided council is determined in the The as optional preferential voting.

"This means electors must number one, some, or all the boxes on their ballot paper in their order of preference, for their vote to count," he said.

"I remind Cassowary Coast Regional Council Division 6 electors that voting is compulsory," he said.

Voters wishing to postal vote should apply via the ECQ website before the deadline of Monday July 5.

The Cassowary Coast Regional Council has appointed Andrew Graffen as the new Chief Executive Officer following an intensive search.

Mr Graffen has called Broome home for the past 17 years however Andrew and his family are excited to relocate to the Cassowary Coast region.

Andrew has most recently held an executive role as Director of Infrastructure with the Shire of Broome in Western Australia.

Commencing in Local Government a decade ago, Andrew has also filled senior leadership roles in the Tourism, Retail, Hospitality and Aquaculture industries as well as in Emergency Management with St John Ambulance WA.

Current CEO James Gott will finish his employment with Council on September 3, and Andrew intends to commence as CEO after this date.