NON residents of Walgett Shire who pay rates will be able to vote in the  council elections next year.
A non-residential electoral roll is to be prepared to include people who pay rates on property they own in the area but who do not live in the shire. Occupiers of rateable land who are not owners and lessees who, under the terms of their leases must pay rates can be included in a roll of occupiers and ratepaying lessees.
To  have a vote non-residents, occupirs and rate-paying lessees will have to apply.
A claim for inclusion in the non-residential roll, the roll of occupiers and ratepaying lessees must be made in writing, and on the prescribed form, and lodged with council’s general manager.
Only those people will apply on those rolls.
The general manager must advertise for enrolments 60 days before the close of rolls - which at this stage is February 16, 2004.
This may change if the local government elections, scheduled for March, are again delayed  by the Local Government Minister.