The Victorian Electoral Commission has released the proposed electoral structure for the City of Greater Bendigo and residents are encouraged to have their say.
It is proposed Greater Bendigo will have nine single-member wards, and an independent electoral structure review panel is seeking feedback on the appropriate number of councillors and wards, ward boundaries and the name of each ward.
The preliminary report is available on the Victorian Electoral Commission website – www.vec.vic.gov.au/electoral-boundaries/council-reviews/electoral-structure-reviews/bendigo
The panel proposes three models for consideration:
- A subdivided electoral structure of 9 single-councillor wards (Model 1)
- A subdivided electoral structure of 9 single-councillor wards, with different ward boundaries to Model 1 (Model 2)
- A subdivided electoral structure of 9 single-councillor wards, with different ward boundaries to models 1 and 2 (Model 3)
The Local Government Act 2020 introduced several changes to Local Government representation, including the types of electoral structures local councils may have.
All metropolitan, interface and regional city councils, including the City of Greater Bendigo, must move to single-councillor ward electoral structures.
Submissions close Wednesday July 19 at 5pm. Submissions can be made as follows:
- Online via the Victorian Electoral Commission website – www.vec.vic.gov.au/electoral-boundaries/council-reviews/electoral-structure-reviews/bendigo
- Email – [email protected]
- Post – Level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Deliver in person – Level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
If you make a submission, you can speak in support of it at an online public hearing at 2pm on Tuesday July 25.
The panel will submit a final report to the Minister for Local Government on Wednesday August 23.
The Minister will consider the panel’s advice before recommending a change to the electoral structure, with changes expected to come into effect at the next council elections in 2024.
