Council Elections
The declared results of the last election can be found on the links below:
Meet our Council Members
Mayor
Rachael Wright
I have lived in Litchfield for over 20 years as a rate payer but have been in the Northern Territory much longer. I am part of the family that owns Lorella Springs cattle station, which today is a favourite out- back getaway for all Territorians and interstate visitors.
I am financially conservative, socially progressive, and environmentally responsible.
With over 25 years’ experience as a Human Resources professional, in the private and public sector, I have strong ethical values and I genuinely care for the community and its best interests.
I have elderly parents and young children that live in Litchfield, so I’m keen to see all demographics of our communities’ best interests represented.
My commitment to the rural area is genuine and passionate. I am willing to be a strong voice for us all.
I look forward to being a great asset to Council and our community.
Key Areas/Interests:
- Reserves
- Social Infrastructure
- Roads
- Rates
- Waste
Contact me:
Please send all formal correspondence and invitations to.
If you would like to speak with me personally, I can be reached at.
North Ward Councillor
Daisy Crawford
I have lived in Litchfield for over 10 years and chose to build my future and family in Howard Springs. My husband Ricky and I have two young children, Matilda and Cooper and raising them on our property highlights the beauty and benefits of the Litchfield lifestyle.
I am passionate about our community and want to deliver practical and timely outcomes through transparent and active decision-making that brings the community into the debate and reflects their unique voices.
My professional background spans leadership roles in the Australian Army and private sector, including directing a family business in Howard Springs. As an experienced educator and manager, I’m highly skilled in governance, communication and strategy development. However, I pride myself on my honesty and authenticity; I will always listen and have the drive to deliver powerful and meaningful outcomes for our community.
I love a Saturday morning at the Fred’s Pass markets. You will find me with a Nutella crepe in one hand and baby in the other, watching whatever equestrian event is on that morning. As a horse enthusiast, clay target shooter and soccer player (on hiatus), I will be out and about in the community, and look forward to hearing how I can support you.
Key Areas/Interests:
- Driving community engagement and connectivity
- Influencing development that sustains the rural lifestyle
- Engaging and enabling local businesses
- Protecting and promoting parks and reserves
- Increasing accessibility and improving waste management.
Follow me here:
Website: linkedin.com/in/daisy-crawford
Central Ward Councillor
Kevin Harlan
I grew up on cattle stations in the Barkly, Gulf and Kimberly regions. I moved to Darwin in 1981 to complete my Plant Mechanic apprenticeship. I've lived in Humpty Doo since 2006, before that, Palmerston and Darwin. I've worked in mining and construction industry as a heavy-duty plant mechanic, managed a workshop in Antarctica and taught at both Charles Darwin University and Taminmin Collage. In 1998 I started a home-based business that now focuses on training, work health & safety, traffic management and vehicle inspections. As I am a keen motorsport fan and competitor, in 200 I joined the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) as an inspector for modified vehicles.
in 2021, the voters in Cental Ward voted me in to represent them on Litchfield Council, and again I received their support in te 2025 local elections.
I have become known for asking awkward questions and doing my best to hold people accountable, even if it is uncomfortable for both them and me. I've always been open and expect the residents to hold me responsible for my decisions that I make as their Councillor.
I will always stand up for what's best for the community.
Key Areas/Interests:
- Maintaining Council Accountability
- Friendly, accessible and approachable
- Community representative
- Make a difference
- Ensure wise use of rate payers funds
Community Involvement & Achievements
- Freds Pass Rural Show
- Junior Speedway sedans competitors
- Finke Desert Race competitor
- Local V8 Super Utes competitor
- 70th Rejex Rally Event
- Humpty Dumpty Foundation
- Mullets for Mental Healths
- Rural Christmas Lights display competition
Follow me here:
Website: www.harlan.one
Central Ward Councillor
Pauline Cass
I love the Territory, love living in the rural area, and I am a dedicated community advocate.
I have lived in the Litchfield Municipality since my teens and bought my block in Central Ward in 2001, so have deep roots here and a proven commitment to our rural community. I have raised my kids here and was heavily involved in volunteering at their playgroups, schools, sporting and service clubs, and was the Humpty Doo Cub Scout Leader.
As a long-term rural resident, parent, and active member of many local groups, I have a wealth of practical local knowledge and networks. Through my Master of Environmental Management, I have studied social, cultural, economic and ecological sustainability, environmental and planning law, managing built and natural environments, and many other useful subjects. I am not an ‘expert’, but I care about locals and our rural area.
I have spent decades serving our community and have sat on many committees including Friends of Taminmin Library, Friends of Fogg Dam, Humpty Doo Volunteer Fire Brigade, Wildcare NT, Swamp Dogs Rugby Union, and the Planning Commission's Humpty Doo Advisory Committee.
I will use my skills, education and experience to make rural life better and safer for us all.
I'll listen to you and will always do my best to represent and serve you.
Follow me here:
South Ward Councillor
Emma Sharp
I arrived in the Top End eight years ago for what was supposed to be a short-term visit. However, I met my now husband after a few weeks in Darwin, decided to stay on a bit longer, and I’m happy to say I have no intention of leaving this place.
We started planning our lives together; got hitched, picked a rural block in Litchfield to build on, and by 2017, us two became three with the birth of our son – very much a ‘bush kid’.
Since 2005, I have worked predominantly in the health sector, both in the UK NHS, and NT Health. I progressed ‘up the chain’ from administration and secretarial roles, and took a jump into the ICT world, where I have been managing ICT projects in the public health sector now, for over 10 years.
I believe a councillor should act as a strong advocate, which is a passion I have developed over the past five years in my personal projects. My main focus for my tenure on Council is to be the conduit between local government and the rural people to help promote, sustain, and enjoy the rural lifestyle.
Follow me here:
South Ward Councillor
Kris Civitarese
I’ve spent most of my life in the Territory and have lived in Berry Springs since 2021. I’ve served in the Army, helped run my family's small business, ran my own business, and currently work full-time at Power and Water. I hold trades in both telecommunications and electrical, and I know the value of rolling up your sleeves and getting things done.
I believe in community. I’ve volunteered my time with countless community organisations and events over the years. I’m an active member of the Berry Springs Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, I volunteer with the Friends of the Territory Wildlife Park, and I serve on the committee of the Palmerston and Rural RSL Sub Branch.
I value being accessible and present to the community, and believe in openness, transparency, and genuine community consultation. I'm not afraid to speak up and I don’t shy away from the hard conversations.
The rural area is my home, it’s where I live, where I volunteer, and where I want to keep making a difference.
Follow me here:
Want to know who your Councillor is? Click here to view the electoral boundaries!
Role of members
The role of a member of a council is:
- to represent the interests of all residents and ratepayers of the council area; and
- to provide leadership and guidance; and
- to facilitate communication between the member of the council's constituency and the council; and
- to participate in the deliberations of the council and its community activities; and
- to ensure, as far as practicable, that the council acts honestly, efficiently and appropriately in carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
However, a member of the council has no power to direct or control staff, or to interfere with the management of staff.
A member of the council has a duty to act, at all times, in what the members genuinely believes to be the best interests of the council's constituency.
Pursuant to Section 59 of the Local Government Act 2019, the role of the Mayor, or in their absence.
Role, Appointment and Term of Deputy Mayor
Councillors
The Council is made up of seven Elected Members one of whom is the Mayor. They represent the residents from Litchfield's three electoral wards, Central, North and South. All are elected by the people during a general election held every four years.
Role of Principal Member (Mayor)
The role of the Principal Member of a council is:
- To chair meetings of Council; and
- To speak on behalf of Council as Council’s principal representative; and
- To liaise with the CEO about the performance of the Council’s CEO’s functions; and
- To promote behaviour among the members of the Council that meets the standards set out in the code of conduct; and
- To lead the Council to undertake regular review of the performance of the CEO.
Role of Deputy Principal (Mayor)
The role of the Deputy Mayor is in the absence of the Principal (Mayor) to:
- As per the Act, the deputy mayor is to carry out any of the Mayor’s functions when the Mayor either delegates the functions to the deputy or is absent from official duties because of illness or for some other reason.
Role of Councillors
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Register of Elected Members
Register of Elected Member Information »
Code of Conduct
Under Sections 119 and Schedule 1 of the Local Government Act 2019, Elected Members of Council will be committed to conducting themselves in a way that demonstrates the highest ethical.
Code of Conduct for Elected Members »
From 1 July 2021, a person who believes that a council member has breached a council’s Code of Conduct may lodge a complaint with the Chief Executive Officer.
To lodge a complaint that a council member has breached the Code of Conduct, you must complete the approved complaint form and statutory declaration (below) verifying the allegations of fact made against the council member. A complaint must be made within 3 months after the date of the alleged breach.
Breach of Code of Conduct complaint form »
Interests
Pursuant to Part 7.2 Interests of the Local Government Act 2019, the following registers are required to be kept and maintained by the Chief Executive Officer and published on the Council website.
Annual Returns of Interest Register
An Annual return of interest is any interest a Council Member may have as specified by the Local Government (General) Regulations 2021.
Annual Returns of Interest Register »
Gifts and Benefits Register
Gifts and benefits are gifts Council Members may receive in the course of their duties as per Council’s policy EM07 CEO and Council Member Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality.
Disclosure of Interest Register
A conflict of interest occurs when a Council Members personal interests could compromise their judgement or decisions in the course of their duties. Council Members are required to disclose their interest as per Section 115 of the Local Government Act 2019.
Disclosure of Interest Register »
Allowances
In accordance with Section 106 of the Local Government Act 2019, Council Members allowances are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
On 10 December 2024, the Tribunal made the following determination;
Report and Determination No. 1 of 2025 - Allowances for Members of Local Government Councils »
The below table illustrates the Council Member allowances.
| Allowance Type | Councillor | Deputy Mayor | Mayor |
| Annual Allowance | $23,452 | $39,452 | $109,772 |
| Extra Meeting Allowance | $10,000 | $10,000 | - |
| Annual Professional Allowance | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Total Maximum Claimable | $38,452 | $54,452 | $114,772 |
The annual allowance covers those activities required of a Council member in the performance of his or her role as an elected representative. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the allowance covers:
- Agenda study and meeting preparation;
- Attendance at regular Council and committee meetings;
- Attendance at social functions as a Council representative;
- Constituency responsibilities; and
- Council representation outside the Municipality area, including delegations interstate and overseas, unless such representation has extra meeting approval.
Extra Meeting Allowance shall be paid in accordance with the Tribunal's Determination and Council Policy.
Professional Development Allowance is payable to Council Members to attend approved conferences and training courses which sustain a member’s professional competence and able to comply with professional standards applicable to their role as a member of council.