It comes after a review of constitutional arrangements done by Council in 2020, which looked at issues including; the number of elected representatives, their titles, whether or not to have wards and municipal boundaries.

According to a report, obtained by the Katherine Times, the topics of the review underwent public consultation, with a majority of people voting to change the titles from Aldermen to Councillors.

"The elected members of the Katherine Town Council have always held the title of Alderman, with the use of this title being confirmed during the past three electoral reviews (i.e. 2006/2007; 2010/2011; and 2014/2015). As such, the title is long established and known by the community," the report reads.

KATHERINE COUNCIL ELECTIONS:

"Notwithstanding the above, Council believes that the title of Councillor is more appropriate and acceptable, given that it is less formal; is more contemporary; is not gender specific; and is consistent with the title of elected members in the vast majority of Councils throughout the nation.:

"In respect to the latter, Council is aware that only two Councils in the Northern Territory (i.e. the City or Darwin and the City of Palmerston) still have Aldermen; and the trend across the nation is away from the title of Alderman."

The changes will come into effect on the upcoming election day of August 28.

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