Representation Review

**UPDATE**

As per below, Council asked the community for feedback on the structure that they prefer.

The results of this feedback show that our community prefers that:

• the Principal Member of Council continues to be a Mayor elected by the community;
• the City remains divided into six Wards with each Ward represented by two Councillors; and
• the Elected Body continues to comprise 12 Ward Councillors.

Council has considered the feedback received and has resolved to retain its current structure and number of members.

For more information, to read the Draft Representation Review Report or to take the final opportunity to have your say on the structure of Council, please click here (Elector Representation Review).

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

How do you want to be represented?

For over 60 years, the Council has had an elected Mayor and 12 Councillors representing 6 wards (local areas).

Every eight years, the Council must consider its composition and structure to ensure that it is representing all electors in the community fairly. As part of the review we must consider and ask residents for their opinions on a number of issues.

This is the first consultation in the Representation Review Process. Following this consultation, the Council will review the feedback received and determine its preferred model of representation. A further consultation will then be conducted on Council’s preferred model. It is important to have your say now so that your feedback is considered by Council when determining the preferred model.

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

Council is seeking your feedback on how you want to be represented.

What are the options?**

Council is reviewing its composition and structure as part of its Representation Review. This includes reviewing whether the council area should be divided into wards and if so, how many wards should Council have? It also includes reviewing the number of councillors in each ward and in total.

Five different options are proposed for your consideration and you can always propose other options on how the council can best represent its community.

Mayor or chairperson?

The Council can have either a mayor elected by the community, or a chairperson elected by and from the councillors.

The roles and responsibilities of a mayor and a chairperson are identical in all respects; however there are differences in their election/ selection and their voting rights in chamber.

A mayor is elected by the community for a period of four years and, as such, provides continuous community leadership for the term of a council.

By contrast, a chairperson is chosen by (and from among) the elected members of Council for a term of one to four years (as determined by Council).

Our Council has had a directly elected mayor for over 60 years. The option to have a mayor or chairperson may only be for the short term as there is a Bill before the Parliament which proposes to remove the option of having a chairperson.

Option 1 - Current structure of 6 wards, 12 councillors*

This has been Council’s ward structure for the past 60 years. The level of representation under this model is equal across the wards. The retention of this ward structure may only be for the short term as there is a Bill before the Parliament which may require Council to consider reducing the number of councillors to a maximum of 12 members (including the mayor).

If this ward structure is selected, Council may need to undertake a further representation review prior to the 2026 election to reduce the number of councillors.

Option 2 - No wards*

The Council area can be represented by councillors who are elected by the whole community, not just a smaller area (ward). This reduces the need to maintain ward boundaries which divide the community into areas based solely on the distribution of elector numbers*.

The Council can have any number of councillors in this option.

Option 3 - 5 wards, 10 councillors*

This structure would divide the council into 5 wards, with each ward being represented by 2 councillors. There is equal representation of electors* in each ward and this option allows for any future property development and population growth.

The boundaries of the proposed wards align with current suburb boundaries.

Option 4 - 3 wards, 9 councillors*

This structure would divide the council into 3 wards, with each ward being represented by 3 councillors. There is equal representation of electors* in each ward; the area within the wards are equal and this option allows for any future property development and population growth.

The boundaries of the proposed wards align with current suburb boundaries.

Option 5 - 4 wards, 8 councillors*

This structure would divide the council into 4 wards, with each ward being represented by 2 councillors. There is equal representation of electors* in 3 wards, and less electors in 1 ward (in the Eastwood-Glenside area) to allow for the continuing significant housing development in this area.

The boundaries of the proposed wards align with current suburb boundaries.

Ward Names

Currently the Council names its wards after some of the suburbs contained within each ward. This can be confusing as there are 28 suburbs in the council area. This review provides an opportunity for the Council to consider new names for each ward. The name of a ward can be a compass point, number, letter or a name that is significant to the council area. Please feel free to suggest some names for consideration.

* electors - the number of people who have the right to vote in the local government election
** all Options exclude the mayor