The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is reviewing the electoral representation of the City of Boroondara and has released a Preliminary Report on the Electoral Representation Review.
The electoral representation review will consider:
- whether there should be changes to ward boundaries
- if Council should switch to a multi-councillor ward system, or
- if the City of Boroondara should retain the current single-councillor wards structure.
Reviews of this kind are generally required every 12 years.
In its preliminary report, the VEC has outlined three proposed options for the City of Boroondara’s 2020 (and beyond) electoral structure. The options outlined in the preliminary report are:
- Option A: Eleven Councillors elected from four wards comprising of three threecouncillor wards and one two-councillor ward.
- Option B: Eleven Councillors elected from five wards – comprising of four twocouncillor wards and one three-councillor ward; and
- Option C: The retention of the single-councillor wards structure, with the addition of another ward – bringing the total number of councillors to 11.
City of Boroondara is asking the community to support Option C, the retention of the singlecouncillor wards structure, as this is in the best interests of the community we serve.
Prior to the release of VEC’s Preliminary Report, City of Boroondara residents had the opportunity to have their say and lodge a preliminary submission. From 200 preliminary submissions, the majority supported the single-councillor ward structure with 80 residents strongly favouring option C.
Mayor for the City of Boroondara Jane Addis says the single-councillor wards structure will ensure councillors are accessible to residents while it will further hold councillors accountable for the needs and expectations of their constituents.
“Option C best reflects the current representation and needs of our community by retaining the current single member wards structure with the inclusion of one more ward.”
“If multi-member wards are introduced, we run the risk of party politics being prevalent in Boroondara because groups of candidates can run and campaign together, effectively disrupting service delivery and slowing the process of addressing issues raised by the Boroondara community”, said Cr Addis.
The City of Boroondara is reminding the community they must submit their say on the future structure of Council to the VEC by 5.00 pm Wednesday 8 May 2019.
“Public submissions are an important part of this review process as our community can provide valuable local insights”, added Cr Addis.
Response submissions can be sent to the VEC using the online submission form at www.vec.vic.gov.au. Alternatively, submissions can be posted to level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 or emailed to [email protected]. Submissions must be received by the VEC by 5pm on Wednesday 8 May 2019.
Council’s preliminary response submission to the VEC can be view at our website www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/vec-review.
To view the VEC preliminary report, visit www.vec.vic.gov.au.
