General News
28 March, 2023
Electorate options debated
CORANGAMITE Shire mayor Ruth Gstrein has called the second special council meeting of the year to weigh up options under the Corangamite Shire electoral review.
CORANGAMITE Shire mayor Ruth Gstrein has called the second special council meeting of the year to weigh up options under the Corangamite Shire electoral review.
An independent panel appointed by the Minister for Local Government has been reviewing the shire’s electoral structure to bring it in line with the Local Government Act 2020.
The Act does not allow the current mixed system of multi-member and single-member wards.
Cr Gstrein said the statewide trend for unsubdivided municipalities did not reflect the wishes and needs of many Corangamite residents.
“Council put in a submission strongly advocating to keep a ward-based structure,” she said.
“In addition there were 20 submissions from community members which was a great example of residents taking part in the democratic process.”
Cr Gstrein said it was a complex matter with pros and cons to each of the proposed models.
“In one, North Ward gets substantially bigger but would have a second councillor who residents could access,” she said.
“In another, an even number of councillors raises the possibilities of deadlocks on some issues and the mayor having to cast a deciding vote, which is not ideal.
“There’s also the question of Terang, Noorat and Glenormiston falling in different wards when shared interests could be served better by being in the same ward.
“Council will meet to discuss the relative merits and drawbacks and decide which model to advocate for.”
The meeting will be held in Camperdown at 5.30pm on Tuesday, April 11. The venue is yet to be confirmed but will be confirmed ahead of the meeting.
Cr Gstrein encouraged community members to continue to be actively involved.
“Please take the time to look at the proposals on the Victorian Electoral Commission website and make a submission,” she said.
“If you care about the ward system and having your own local councillor then it is important that you express that to the panel.”