WARD boundary reviews are set to start next week for 10 Victorian councils including Bass Coast and South Gippsland
The Minister for Local Government has asked the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) to carry out the reviews because each of these councils has one or more wards where the number of voters per councillor is forecast to be outside the legislated 10% tolerance at the next local council election.
In the case of Bass Coast, significant changes are expected to accommodate the major growth areas of Phillip Island, Wonthaggi and Inverloch with the large (by area) Western Port Ward already unwieldy in size and scope.
Deputy Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead, who with the Mayor Cr Clare Le Serve and Cr Geoff Ellis, represents Western Port Ward said she believed that because of the large area of the ward, it suited three representatives.
"There has been talk of nine single-member wards but I wouldn't like to see that," said Cr Halstead.
"I believe it would make councillors too parochial rather than taking a wider view of what's best for the municipality.
""Obviously there has to be change but it's ideal having three councillors for the bigger rural and coastal area of Western Port because the representatives can share the load. Maybe you could have three wards with two represntatives and one of three councillors for the big rural ward."
For South Gippsland, the number of ratepayers in the Venus Bay area has increased significantly since the last redistribution and is expected to result in changes to the Coastal Promontory Ward in particular.
After the VEC finishes its review, the minister will decide whether to accept its recommendations.
The 10 councils with ward boundaries under review have been divided into three groups with online public information sessions scheduled for each group to explain the reviews and open the submissions period.
Group A councils include:
- Bass Coast Shire Council
- Baw Baw Shire Council
- South Gippsland Shire Council
- Wellington Shire Council
Key dates
-
Public information sessions: 12 noon on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 February
-
Public submissions open: 9 am on Wednesday 14 February
- Public submissions close: 5 pm on Wednesday 6 March
Bass Coast
Public submissions for the ward boundary review of Bass Coast Shire Council open at 9 am on Wednesday 14 February and close at 5 pm on Wednesday 6 March. Visit vec.vic.gov.au/bass-coast to find out how to attend an online public information session.
South Gippsland
Public submissions for the ward boundary review of South Gippsland Shire Council open at 9 am on Wednesday 14 February and close at 5 pm on Wednesday 6 March. Visit vec.vic.gov.au/south-gippsland to find out how to attend an online public information session.
The VEC will share options in a preliminary report and encourages all Victorians, particularly those in the local council areas under review, to have their say in a public submission.
Online public information sessions to announce the start of the reviews, explain the processes, and open the submissions period will be held for this group of councils at 12 noon on Monday 12 February and Tuesday 13 February.
People interested in making a submission can share their views and draw a map of their preferred ward boundaries online. The public submission tool will be available on the VEC website at vec.vic.gov.au from Wednesday 14 February.