FAQs

Councils in South Australia are required to undertake regular reviews of their elector representation arrangements to ensure that their communities have adequate representation on councils.

Known as a Representation Review, the process requires us to examine the structure of the Elected Member body, consult with constituents regarding any changes, then adopt a Council structure until the next review.

During the past few months we have been undertaking a Representation Review to ascertain whether our current structure - six wards of two councillors each and one mayor - is still relevant.

This review has been undertaken by an independent consultant and we are now seeking community views regarding the findings.

Before the findings of this review can be adopted by Council, we're seeking our community's views for a second time. The easiest way to provide your feedback is by using the online submission form at the bottom of the project page.

Alternatively, you can prepare a written submission (including your name and address) and send:

via mail to

'Representation Review', City of Burnside

PO Box 9 

Glenside 5065

via email to burnside@burnside.sa.gov.au(External link) with the subject heading 'Representation Review, City of Burnside '.

All submissions are required by 5 pm Thursday 5 August 2021.

This is your final opportunity to have your say on the structure of Council. 

Following this consultation, the Council will review the feedback received and finalise its preferred model of representation. 

Any changes to representation and wards will be in place for the November 2022 Local Government Elections. 

In accordance with section 12 of the Local Government Act 1999, a Representation Review is required to consider the composition of the Council and the advantages and disadvantages of the options that are available for elector representation under the Act. The key areas for consideration are:

• election or appointment of the Principal Member (Mayor/Chairperson);
• the number of Councillors;
• how Councillors are elected – from wards, across the whole of the Council area or a combination of both;
• whether the Council should have wards or no wards; and
• the name of the Council and the wards (if any).

A council must ensure that all aspects of the composition of the council, and the issue of division or potential division, or the area of the Council into wards, are comprehensively reviewed.

Councils in South Australia are required to undertake regular reviews of their elector representation arrangements.

The City of Burnside undertook its last Representation Review during the period 2012/2013 and the minor changes to the ward boundaries were implemented at the 2014 Local Government elections.

The process for the Representation Review requires Council to undertake the following steps:

1. Initiate the preparation of a Representation Options Paper, by a person who, in the opinion of the Council, is qualified to address the representation and governance issues that may arise with respect to the matters under review – This has been completed.
2. Conduct the first round of public consultation on the Paper pursuant to section 12(7) of the Act. Consultation must be open for a minimum period of six (6) weeks – This has been completed.
3. Consider the submissions made during the first public consultation and prepare a Representation Review Report that details the representation arrangements it favours, the reasons why and respond to issues raised during the first consultation – This has been completed.
4. Conduct the second round of public consultation, providing an opportunity for people making submissions to be heard personally or through a representative on the Representation Review Report, by either the Council or a Committee of the Council. Consultation must be open for a minimum period of three (3) weeks with opportunities for verbal submissions to follow - underway;
5. Adopt a representation structure;
6. Prepare the final Representation Review Report;
7. Submit the final Representation Review Report to the Electoral Commissioner of South Australia (ECSA) to obtain a certificate of compliance. If the certificate of compliance is not provided, the Council will be required to undertake further actions to meet the ECSA’s requirements; and
8. Place a notice in the Gazette providing for the operation of any proposal in the final Review Report for which the ECSA has provided a certificate of compliance.
9. If the Council wishes to adopt a representation structure that changes the composition of the Council, or to appoint a Chairperson instead of an Elected Mayor, a poll must be held on that aspect of the Representation Review.

Any changes as a result of the Representation Review will be implemented for the next periodic election to be held in November 2022.

The Representation Review Report must take into account the principles set out in section 26 of the Local Government Act, namely:

• that any changes to the Council’s representation should benefit ratepayers;
• arrangements should reflect communities of interest, values and aspirations and avoid significant dislocation within the community;
• encourage local community participation in decisions about local matters; and
• provide effective local governance and foster co-operation with other councils.

Section 33 of the Local Government Act also needs to be considered as it requires the Council to consider the need to ensure adequate and fair representation while at the same time avoiding over-representation in comparison to other councils of other councils of a similar size and type.

For over 60 years, the Council has had an elected Mayor and 12 councillors representing 6 wards.

The council area is currently divided into 6 wards, with each of the wards being represented by two councillors (a total of twelve councillors). The current names of the 6 wards are: Beaumont, Burnside, Eastwood and Glenunga, Kensington Gardens and Magill ward, Kensington Park and Rose Park and Toorak Gardens.

The Mayor is the thirteenth and principal member of Council. 

The current structure, which was adopted by Council at the previous elector representation review in 2012/2013, came into effect at the periodic Local Government elections in November 2014.

Council is required to take the following matters into account in conducting the Representation Review:

• Demographic trends;
• Population data and projections;
• Communities of interest; and
• Elector representation and ward quotas.

A councillor is paid an annual allowance of $18,100 (indexed annually) plus the Council provides each member a tablet device, and other facilities to undertake their role in accordance with the Elected Members' Allowances and Benefits policy. 

The Mayor is paid an annual allowance of $72,400 (indexed annually) plus the Council provides each member a tablet device, and other facilities to undertake their role in accordance with the Elected Members' Allowances and Benefits policy. 

The allowance is for the period 9/11/2020 - 8/11/2021 

An elector is a person or body who is either enrolled on the House of Assembly electoral roll (used for state and federal elections) or has applied to be on the Council’s Voters Roll. The Council’s voters roll allows:

• a resident or a non-Australian citizen who has lived at your residential address for one month or more, or
• an owner of an organisation or business, or
• an owner of a holiday home, or
• a sole owner, or group of owners, of a rateable property, or
• a sole occupier, or group of occupiers, of a rateable property, or
• a landlord of rateable property.

to apply to be on the Council’s Voters Roll and will receive ballot materials when an election is held.

To be included on the Council’s Voters Roll for the 2022 election eligible persons and groups will need to apply after 1 January 2022 to the close of rolls using the forms available on council’s website.

The representation review is expected to cost the council $30,000. This includes the preparation of the two consultation reports, costs of the statutory notices in the SA Government Gazette and in a newspaper circulating in the council area and all consultation activities.