Student Information  
  During Primary School a study of the working of local councils is often undertaken as part of an overall study on the "Community and its Environment."
  
     
  The following is information that may assist students with their research and projects for this unit of study.  
     
  The following question and answer information relates specifically to the City of Botany Bay.  
 
  Q. What is the name of your council?  
  A. The City of Botany Bay  
     
  Q. How many people live in your council area?  
  A. Approximately 36,000 residents live in the City of Botany Bay. However, more than 100,000 people come into the City of Botany Bay each day to work.  
       
  Q. What is the name of your Mayor?  
  A. Mayor, of the City of Botany Bay, Ron Hoenig.  
       
  Q. Do the Mayor and Councillors get paid?  
  A. No, the position of Mayor and Councillor is voluntary. However they do receive an allowance for attending meetings. The maximum amount that they receive is set by the State Government.  
       
  Q. What is the name of the General Manager of your Council?  
  A. The Manager for the City of Botany is Mr Peter Fitzgerald.  
       
  Q. What does the General Manager do?  
  A. The General Manager is responsible for the day to day running of the Council. He is in charge of all the Council staff and ensures that they carry out the policies, programs and decisions made by the Mayor and Councillors.  
     
  Q. When is the next Council Election?  
  A. The next election will be held on September , 2012.  
       
  Q. Who elects the Councillors in your area?  
   

The Councillors are elected by the residents of the City of Botany Bay. To be eligible to vote you must have registered with the Electoral Office, be over the age of 18 years and be an Australian Citizen.

 
       
    In the City of Botany Bay for voting purposes the area is divided into three wards. The residents living within each Ward vote for two people to be elected to hold the office of Councillor. All residents, that is the three wards, all vote for the office of Mayor.  
       
  Q. Who elects the Mayor in your area?  
    In the City of Botany Bay the Mayor is elected by "Popular Vote." This means the residents elect the Mayor and he or she holds office for four years. In most Councils the Mayor is elected by his fellow Councillors and must be elected every 12 months.  
       
  Q. How many Councillors are on your Council?  
    There are six Councillors, plus the Mayor.
Their names are: Councillor Mark Castle, Councillor Anne Slattery, Councillor Greg Mitchell, Councillor Brian Troy, Councillor Stan Kondilios and Councillor George Glinatsis.
  
       
  Q. Your council is divided into Wards. How many are there and what are they called?  
    In the City of Botany Bay there are three Wards, simply called A, B and C.  
       
  Q. Who are the elected representatives for the Ward you live?  
    To find out the answer to this question for the City of Botany Bay you should contact the Mayor's Office on 9366 3600 and tell them the street you live in. They will be able to tell you which "Ward" you are in and the name of your two Councillors.
  
       
    Ward A - Cr Slattery and Cr Kondilios
Ward B - Cr Mitchell and Cr Castle
Ward C - Cr Troy and Cr Glinatsis
  
     
  Q. When are Council Meetings held?  
  A. In the City of Botany Bay the full Council meets once a month. This normally takes place on the fourth Wednesday, at 6.30pm in the Botany Council Chambers, cnr Botany Road and Edward Street, Botany.  
       
  Q. Who can attend a Council Meeting?  
  A. The public is welcome to attend the Council Meeting but are not allowed to speak. However, if you are unable to attend but would like to know what goes on you can see and hear the meetings live on the Web. Simply log on to www.botanybay.nsw.gov.au and click on the "Live Webcast" button which appears on the home page.  
       
  Q. Does the Council hold any other meetings?  
  A. The Council is supported by six Standing Committees of which the Mayor is the chairperson. The Standing Committees are:  
       
    Community Services Committee
Health and Environment Committee
Library Committee
Parks, Landscape & Recreation Committee
Development Committee
Public Works Committee
  
       
    The Committees meet prior to Council. The public are invited to attend and they are allowed to discuss any matter on the agenda with the members of the Committee.  
       
  Q. Where are the Council Offices located?  
  A. Council's Administration Offices are located at 141 Coward Street, Mascot. The Mayor's Office is located at Shop 176A Eastgardens Shopping Centre, Eastgardens.  
       
  Q. What are the main areas under the Council's Control?  
  A. Building and Planning
Health and Environment
Parks, Gardens and Recreation
Engineering, Roads and Footpaths
Community Services
Libraries and Museum
  
       
    (More information on each department is available on the Website)
       
  Q. How many staff does your Council employ?  
  A. Approximately 300.  
       
  Q. Who is my Local Member for State Government?  
  A. If you live in the City of Botany Bay your representative for the State Government is either Kristina Kenneally in the State Electorate of Heffron, or Michael Daley in the State Electorate of Maroubra.  
       
  Q. Who is the Federal Member for my area?  
  A. If you live in the City of Botany Bay your Federal member is Peter Garrett. The Federal Electorate is Kingsford Smith.  
       
  Q. When are the elections for State and Federal Governments?  
    The next State Election is in 2011.  
       
    The Federal Government's term is three years and the Prime Minister can call an election any time before the three year term is completed.  
       
  Other INTERESTING FACTS which may assist you with your studies:  
   
  • The City of Botany Bay covers an area of 2,675 hectares miles. It is highly industrialized with more than half the area given over to industry and commercial activity.
  • The City of Botany Bay looks after more than 65 parks. The largest being the Sir Joseph Banks Pleasure Gardens in Botany.
  • The City of Botany Bay looks after 265 kilometres of footpath and 127 kilometres of roads.
  • The City of Botany Bay has planted more than 2 million trees in the last 10 years.
  • The City of Botany Bay was formally known as "Botany Municipal Council." It was proclaimed a City on 1st January, 1996.
  • The City of Botany Bay is one of the oldest local government areas in New South Wales. It celebrated its bicentenary in 1988.
  
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