Early voting opened across the state this morning for the NSW Local Government elections, with thousands of Illawarra residents expected to make the most of the two weeks of pre-polling in a bid to avoid lengthy queues and potentially time-consuming COVID-19 precautions set to be enforced on December 4.
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Wollongong voters have their choice of five pre-polling stations across the city - the Wollongong CBD, Dapto, Corrimal, Port Kembla and Thirroul - with a sixth venue at Helensburgh coming online next Monday.
In Shellharbour, pre-polling stations have opened at Warilla, Albion Park and Shell Cove, while Kiama residents can cast their early vote at the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre from today.
All the pre-polling stations are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
They will close at 5pm on Friday, December 3.
Pre-polling has become increasingly favoured among ratepayers in recent years, and may prove to become an even more popular alternative this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NSW Electoral Commission has previously said it would be encouraging residents to vote via postal, online and operator-assisted voting or at a pre-poll office to reduce the number of people attending voting venues on December 4.
Several protection measures will be implemented to help minimise the risk of community transmission, including mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing.
For more information, visit www.elections.nsw.gov.au
Where to pre-poll this election:
Wollongong
*Wollongong Returning Office
Address: 65-69 Keira Street, Wollongong
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Vote for: All wards
Wheelchair accessible
*Corrimal District Library and Community Centre
Address: 15 Short Street, Corrimal
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Vote for: All wards
Wheelchair accessible
*Dapto Ribbonwood Centre
Address: 93-109 Princes Highway, Dapto
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Vote for: All wards
Wheelchair accessible
*Port Kembla Senior Citizens Centre
Allan Street, Port Kembla
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Vote for: All wards
Assisted wheelchair access
*Thirroul Community Centre
352 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Vote for: All wards
Wheelchair accessible
*Helensburgh Anglican Church (opening Monday, November 27)
77 Parkes Road, Helensburgh
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Vote for: All wards
Assisted wheelchair access
Shellharbour
*1st Albion Park Scout Hall
35 Station Street, Albion Park
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Vote for: All wards
Assisted wheelchair access
*Shellharbour Returning Officer
2/144 Shellharbour Road, Warilla
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Vote for: All wards
Wheelchair accessible
*Shell Cove Community Centre
25 Southern Cross Boulevard, Shell Cove
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Vote for: All wards
No disabled/wheelchair access
Kiama
*Joyce Wheatley Community Centre
107 Terralong Street, Kiama
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Wheelchair accessible
