As a result of changes in the Local Government Act 2020, Victorian’s are now being asked to consider new ward structures to better ensure a balance of representation in each ward, particularly as communities grow and evolve.
In Central Goldfields Shire we currently have three single Councillor wards and one four Councillor wards and this structure will indeed change. As your representatives, Councillors have spoken in depth of how the community would like to see their interests shared by elected representatives.
There have been three options put before us from Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) including single member represented wards; multiple member wards; or unsubdivided wards meaning seven Councillors oversee the whole of the Shire.
I would find unsubdivided wards problematic due to the varying nature of the Municipality including a larger regional town, smaller townships and farming communities which all have different needs and require diverse representation.
It is imperative that our community have their say in this decision-making process as this affects you. Individual members of the community can also submit your views by accessing the VEC website www.vec.vic.gov.au or speaking directly to your ward Councillor.
After speaking with many residents, we collectively found there is a resounding preference for single member wards. As a result of our feedback and subsequent exhaustive discussion around the table, our recommendation submitted for consideration by VEC, is for single member wards ie: Paddy’s Ranges, Flynn Ward, Tullaroop Ward, then Maryborough divided into four wards.
This structure will ensure, particularly as Maryborough grows, that all residents will have an opportunity to influence outcomes through more even representation. Council submitted its recommendations as did two community members.
We encourage all community members to have their say by making a submission to the VEC by the closing date of April 19 2023
