Published on Friday, 26 February 2021 at 9:51:14 AM

In March 2020 we prepared a Ward & Councillor Discussion Paper for the purpose of consulting with the community regarding a review of ward boundaries and elected member (councillor) representation. 

We are required to conduct a review of our ward boundaries and the system of elected member representation at least every eight years (under the Local Government Act 1995).

The last review of our ward boundaries and elected member representation was undertaken in the 2014-2015 financial year.  The outcome of that consultation and review was a Council decision to retain the number of elected members as 9 and make minor changes to the boundaries of the North and South Wards in order to have a consistent ratio of electors to councillors in both wards.

The consultation period for the more recent review started on 29 April 2020 and concluded on 17 June 2020 and 3 submissions were received.  These submissions, along with details regarding the requirements of the Local Government Act 1995 and advice from the Local Government Advisory Board regarding the ratio of councillors to electors was considered by Council.

The Council decision was to seek approval to have the wards removed altogether while retaining all nine elected member seats. The Council decision in turn is required to be approved by the Local Government Advisory Board and the Minister for Local Government.  On 15 January we received advice that the Minister for Local Government approved the outcome of the review and that the required processes would now commence to obtain the Governor’s approval and publish these changes in the Government Gazette in time for the 2021 local government elections.

You can read the background information contained in the report to Council in the September 2020 Council Minutes. 

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