{"id":"nsw:sl-1979-0017","name":"Private Irrigation Districts (West Corurgan Board Election) By-law","slug":"private-irrigation-districts-west-corurgan-board-election-by-law","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"17 of 1979","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":180939,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:sl-1979-0017-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of By-law","content":"#### 1 Name of By-law\n\n1 Name of By-law\n\n> This By-law may be cited as the [Private Irrigation Districts (West Corurgan Board Election) By-law](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-1979-0017).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 2 Definitions\n\n2 Definitions\n\n> In this By-law, except in so far as the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires:\n> \n> Board means the Board of Management for the District.\n> \n> District means the West Corurgan Provisional Private Domestic and Stock Water Supply and Irrigation District as constituted by proclamation in Government Gazette No 114 of 10th September, 1976, or, if that provisional private district is constituted as a private district, that private district.\n> \n> election means an election of the members of the Board under the Act, other than the first election of the members of the Board, and includes an election to fill a casual vacancy in the office of such a member under section 18 of the Act.\n> \n> the Act means the [Private Irrigation Districts and Water (Amendment) Act 1973](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1973-47).\n> \n> zone means:\n> \n> > (a) a zone of the District under clause 4 (1), or\n> \n> > (b) where the District is not divided into zones under that subclause, the District.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Election","content":"#### 3 Election\n\n3 Election\n\n> For the purposes of section 20 (1) of the Act, an election shall be held in accordance with this By-law.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"District zones","content":"#### 4 District zones\n\n4 District zones\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of an election, the Board may divide the District into zones.\n> \n> > (2) Where the Board divides the District into zones under subclause (1), the Board shall:\n> > \n> > > (a) subject to section 15 (3) (b) of the Act, determine the number of members to be elected by the voters of each zone, and\n> > \n> > > (b) show the zones on a plan of the District exhibited at the Board’s office.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Returning Officer","content":"#### 5 Returning Officer\n\n5 Returning Officer\n\n> The Board shall appoint a Returning Officer for an election.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Roll of electors","content":"#### 6 Roll of electors\n\n6 Roll of electors\n\n> > (1) The Returning Officer shall keep a roll of electors for each zone:\n> > \n> > > (a) containing the name and last known address of:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) each sole owner of land which is being worked as a separate property within that zone, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) if there is more than one owner of any such land, such one of them as may, by notice in writing given to the Returning Officer, have been last nominated for the purposes of this subparagraph by all the owners of that land, and\n> > \n> > > (b) showing the voting entitlement of each such sole owner or nominee determined in accordance with section 20 (2) of the Act.\n> \n> > (2) The persons entitled to vote in an election for a zone are those persons whose names appear on the roll for that zone of the day fixed for the election under section 16 (1) of the Act.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conduct of election","content":"#### 7 Conduct of election\n\n7 Conduct of election\n\n> > (1) In the conduct of an election the following intervals shall be allowed:\n> > \n> > > (a) between the publication of the notice of election and the time stated therein for the close of nominations—not less than 28 days,\n> > \n> > > (b) between the despatch of voting papers and the day fixed for the election under section 16 (1) of the Act—not less than 14 days.\n> \n> > (2) Notwithstanding subclause (1), the Returning Officer may allow such shorter intervals than are prescribed in that subclause as he considers necessary in order than an election is held on the day fixed for the election under section 16 (1) of the Act.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Notice of election","content":"#### 8 Notice of election\n\n8 Notice of election\n\n> > (1) The Returning Officer shall give notice of an election by causing the notice to be published in a newspaper circulating in or near the District.\n> \n> > (2) The notice of election shall:\n> > \n> > > (a) state the day fixed for the election under section 16 (1) of the Act,\n> > \n> > > (b) specify the time by which nominations must reach the Returning Officer and the place for the receipt of nomination forms,\n> > \n> > > (c) where the District has been divided into zones under clause 4 (1), state that the zones are shown on a plan exhibited at the Board’s office, and\n> > \n> > > (d) specify the place at which a copy of the roll of electors for each zone is available for inspection.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Nominations","content":"#### 9 Nominations\n\n9 Nominations\n\n> The Returning Officer shall not accept a nomination unless:\n> \n> > (a) it is in writing,\n> \n> > (b) it is signed by 2 persons whose names are on the roll of electors for the zone for which the candidate is nominated,\n> \n> > (c) the candidate nominated has consented to stand for election by a notice in writing given to the Returning Officer before the time stated in the notice of election for the close of nominations or by a notation to that effect on the nomination form,\n> \n> > (d) it is received by the Returning Officer before the time stated in the notice of election for the close of nominations, and\n> \n> > (e) the person nominated is duly eligible under section 19 of the Act to be elected.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Uncontested election","content":"#### 10 Uncontested election\n\n10 Uncontested election\n\n> Subject to clause 17, if, after the time stated in the notice of election for the close of nominations, the number of accepted nominations for a zone does not exceed the number of persons to be elected for that zone, the Returning Officer shall declare the persons nominated to be elected.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Contested election","content":"#### 11 Contested election\n\n11 Contested election\n\n> > (1) If, after the time stated in the notice of election for the close of nominations, the number of accepted nominations for a zone exceeds the number of persons to be elected for that zone, the Returning Officer shall send by post or otherwise issue voting papers to those persons entitled to vote at the election for that zone.\n> \n> > (2) Each elector in a zone shall be issued with 1 voting paper for each vote to which he is entitled as shown on the roll of electors for that zone.\n> \n> > (3) Each voting paper shall contain the names of the candidates in alphabetical order and shall be signed or initialled by the Returning Officer.\n> \n> > (4) Each voting paper or, where the elector is entitled to more than 1 vote, each set of multiple voting papers shall be accompanied by:\n> > \n> > > (a) a form containing a declaration of identity and of entitlement to vote at the election for the zone,\n> > \n> > > (b) two envelopes, one marked “voting paper(s)” and the other addressed to the Returning Officer, and\n> > \n> > > (c) a notice which:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) specifies the time by which the completed voting papers must reach the Returning Officer, being a time on the day fixed for the election under section 16 (1) of the Act, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) contains instructions for the completion of voting papers and for their transmission to the Returning Officer.\n> \n> > (5) The voter shall record his vote on a voting paper by placing a cross opposite the name of each candidate for whom he votes.\n> \n> > (6) The voter shall post or deliver to the Returning Officer his completed voting paper or papers enclosed and sealed in the envelope marked “voting paper(s)”, which, together with his completed declaration, shall be enclosed and sealed in the envelope addressed to the Returning Officer.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Voting paper lost or spoilt","content":"#### 12 Voting paper lost or spoilt\n\n12 Voting paper lost or spoilt\n\n> > (1) The Returning Officer may, upon receipt of a declaration that a voting paper has been lost or destroyed, issue a duplicate voting paper to the person to whom the lost or destroyed voting paper was sent or issued.\n> \n> > (2) If a voter satisfies the Returning Officer that his voting paper has been spoilt by mistake or accident, he may, on returning it, be issued with a new voting paper by the Returning Officer, who shall thereupon cancel and preserve the spoilt voting paper.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Receipt of voting papers","content":"#### 13 Receipt of voting papers\n\n13 Receipt of voting papers\n\n> At the time specified in the notice referred to in clause 11 (4) (c) (i) for the receipt of voting papers, the Returning Officer shall:\n> \n> > (a) open the envelopes addressed to him and received by him before that time,\n> \n> > (b) if the declaration is signed by a qualified voter, ascertain the zone to which the vote relates and place the envelope marked “voting paper(s)” with other such envelopes for that zone,\n> \n> > (c) following the opening of all envelopes addressed to him, open the envelopes marked “voting paper(s)” and take the voting papers therefrom,\n> \n> > (d) reject such voting papers as he finds to be informal in accordance with clause 14, and\n> \n> > (e) count the number of votes given to each candidate in each zone.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Informal vote","content":"#### 14 Informal vote\n\n14 Informal vote\n\n> > (1) The Returning Officer shall reject as informal any voting paper:\n> > \n> > > (a) which is not duly signed or initialled by the Returning Officer,\n> > \n> > > (b) on which votes are recorded for more candidates than the number of members to be elected for the zone,\n> > \n> > > (c) in which the intention of the voter cannot be clearly ascertained, and\n> > \n> > > (d) in which the voter has not complied with the provisions of this By-law or with the instructions of the Returning Officer.\n> \n> > (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this By-law, a voting paper shall not be informal by reason only that the voter has not recorded his vote exactly as prescribed if, in the opinion of the Returning Officer, the intention of the voter can be clearly ascertained.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Scrutineer","content":"#### 15 Scrutineer\n\n15 Scrutineer\n\n> > (1) Each candidate for an election may nominate 1 scrutineer who shall be entitled to be present during the counting of the votes at the election.\n> \n> > (2) The Returning Officer or a scrutineer shall not in any way disclose the manner in which a voter has voted at an election.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Result of poll","content":"#### 16 Result of poll\n\n16 Result of poll\n\n> Subject to clause 17, the result of a poll for an election shall be ascertained by the Returning Officer in accordance with the following provisions:\n> \n> > (a) where there is only 1 member to be elected for a zone, the candidate who received the highest number of votes shall be declared to be elected,\n> \n> > (b) where there is more than 1 member to be elected for a zone, the candidates, not exceeding in number the number of members to be elected for that zone, who received the highest number of votes shall be declared to be elected,\n> \n> > (c) where 2 or more candidates for a zone have an equal number of votes and not all those candidates can be elected, the candidate or candidates to be elected shall be determined by lot by the Returning Officer.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Casual vacancy","content":"#### 17 Casual vacancy\n\n17 Casual vacancy\n\n> Except in the case of an election to fill a casual vacancy in the office of a member of the Board under section 18 of the Act, the Returning Officer shall not declare a person elected for any zone under clauses 10 or 16 on a day other than the day upon which he declares the persons elected for each of the other zones of the District under clause 10 or 16, as the case may be.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Notice of election result","content":"#### 18 Notice of election result\n\n18 Notice of election result\n\n> The Returning Officer shall, as soon as practicable after he declares any person elected as a member of the Board, send by post or otherwise issue to that person a notice in writing informing him of his election as a member of the Board.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Election papers returned to Board","content":"#### 19 Election papers returned to Board\n\n19 Election papers returned to Board\n\n> > (1) After the declaration of the persons elected at an election the Returning Officer shall forward all papers held by him in connection with the election to the Board.\n> \n> > (2) The Board may destroy those papers on the expiration of 12 months after the election.","sortOrder":18}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The scope of this by-law has not materially changed. Its subject matter — governing board elections for the West Corurgan Private Irrigation District — remains exactly as originally intended in 1979. The only change was an administrative re-homing to a new parent Act in 2001, which did not alter or expand what the by-law actually does."},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow and specific subject matter (single irrigation district board election)","Minimal substantive content visible in the provided text — only status and administrative metadata shown","One minor legal transition point: the by-law's parent Act changed from the Private Irrigation Districts Act 1973 to the Water Management Act 2000, which requires understanding of how NSW law handles statutory succession","Cross-referencing needed between old and new parent Acts to understand full legal context"],"plain_english_summary":"The 1979 West Corurgan Private Irrigation District by‑law prescribes how elections for the district’s governing board are held — who may vote or stand and how votes are cast. It applies only to landowners or water users within the tiny West Corurgan irrigation district. Although never amended, it was transferred into the Water Management Act 2000 framework in 2001 and remains technically in force, relevant chiefly if a local board election occurs."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This by-law remains tightly focused on its original purpose: establishing election procedures for the West Corurgan Private Irrigation District board. It has not expanded beyond this specific administrative function."},"complexity_factors":["5 defined terms in the interpretation section, though most are straightforward geographical or procedural references","Multiple cross-references to the parent Private Irrigation Districts and Water (Amendment) Act 1973 (sections 15, 16, 18, 19, 20)","Conditional logic for zone-based vs district-wide elections throughout (clauses 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 16)","Nested procedural requirements for postal voting with double-envelope system (clause 11)","Exception to standard timelines in clause 7(2) allowing shorter intervals when necessary","Specific exception for casual vacancies in clause 17 that modifies the general election result declaration rules"],"plain_english_summary":"This by-law sets out the rules for electing the management board of a specific local water supply and irrigation district in New South Wales called the West Corurgan District.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Establishes how board members are elected, including timelines, voting procedures, and how votes are counted\n- Allows the district to be divided into zones, with board members elected to represent specific zones\n- Creates a roll of eligible voters based on land ownership within the district\n- Sets out nomination requirements (candidates need two supporters from the voter roll and must consent in writing)\n- Provides for both contested elections (where voting papers are sent to landowners) and uncontested elections (where candidates are elected unopposed)\n- Includes rules for postal voting, handling lost or spoilt ballot papers, and appointing scrutineers to watch the count\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Landowners within the West Corurgan District who use the private irrigation and domestic water supply system\n- Candidates standing for election to the Board of Management\n- The Returning Officer appointed to run each election\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis by-law ensures democratic governance of a local water infrastructure body. Because the board makes decisions about water allocation and management affecting farmers and landowners, the by-law guarantees those affected have a say in who represents them. The voting system is weighted based on land ownership and water entitlements rather than one-person-one-vote, reflecting the economic interests at stake in irrigation districts."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument is procedural and implements election mechanics for the West Corurgan District under the Act rather than changing substantive scope or powers. It prescribes zoning (cl.4), voter-roll composition and entitlement (cl.6), nomination and postal-vote procedure (cls.8–13), counting and tie-resolution (cls.14–16), timing for declaring results (cl.17) and retention of papers (cl.19). It does not expand eligibility or create new Board powers beyond procedural administration."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to the Act for eligibility and timing (definitions and eligibility rely on the Act) (cl.2, cl.9(e))","Delegated factual discretions: Board may create zones and determine seat allocation (cl.4(1)–(2)(a)), Returning Officer may shorten statutory notice intervals (cl.7(2))","Detailed postal voting mechanics and identity declarations create administrative steps and compliance burdens (cls.11–13)","Formalities for nomination and voter roll composition tie votes to land ownership and nominee procedures (cl.6, cl.9)","Tie-breaking by lot and handling of informal votes impose simple deterministic rules but require judgment on voter intention (cls.14, 16(c))","Record keeping and destruction timetable centralises responsibility with the Board (cl.19)"],"plain_english_summary":"This by-law prescribes the detailed mechanics for electing the Board of Management for the West Corurgan Private Irrigation District under the Private Irrigation Districts and Water (Amendment) Act 1973. It sets who may vote (landowners of separately worked properties), how the district may be zoned, nomination and postal-voting procedures, counting rules and record retention. It matters because it fixes administrative rules and limited official discretion (for example the Returning Officer and the Board) that determine how representatives are chosen and how quickly elections proceed."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/private-irrigation-districts-west-corurgan-board-election-by-law","history":"/api/acts/private-irrigation-districts-west-corurgan-board-election-by-law/history","analysis":"/api/acts/private-irrigation-districts-west-corurgan-board-election-by-law/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/private-irrigation-districts-west-corurgan-board-election-by-law/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/private-irrigation-districts-west-corurgan-board-election-by-law/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/private-irrigation-districts-west-corurgan-board-election-by-law/documents"}}