Ward structure concerns

Mayor says Bill won’t work for Surf Coast

THE Surf Coast Shire Council says it has “serious concerns” about proposed changes to the electoral ward structure under reforms to the Local Government Bill.

In a letter to Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek, Cr Rose Hodge said that while single member wards may “work well for metropolitan councils” the structure would not suit Surf Coast.

The council will host a special meeting tomorrow to discuss it’s submission to the Local Government Minister. A NEWTOWN property just a few doors down from Scott Selwood’s luxury townhouse development has smashed its auction reserve by more than $170,000.

A top-of-the-range opening bid of $700,000 was enough to exceed the vendor’s expectations for 5 Vista Rd.

With Buxton agent Matt Plunkett declaring the threebedroom weatherboard house on the market from the get-go, it was just a matter of how far the price would climb.

After a flurry of early bidding, a Melbourne family eventually outlasted two other contenders, buying the 830sq m property for $871,000.

“The first bid was above reserve and it caught me by surprise,” Mr Plunkett said.

“It does not happen but I would say the lady who did it, she has blown a few buyers out of the water.”

Developers were among

“This structure does not adequately take into consideration regional and rural councils and their widely or inconsistently distributed populations,” Cr Hodge said.

“Council’s previous submission also noted that the City of Greater Geelong Commission of Inquiry reported the view that the single member ward structure contributed to the challenges experienced at that council.

“Accordingly, council requests that a range of electoral structures be available to enable each municipality to have representation that best suits the needs of the community.”

Meanwhile, the Local Government Bill consultation paper states that “single member wards for each council enable residents to more effectively receive direct representation”.

“Councillors will be more accountable to local communities, fostering true ‘local’ government,” the paper read.

“Consistent application of this model also ensures that all councillors are elected under the same system with equal vote shares within their council.

“This more closely reflects the way members of parliament are elected.”

Council officers have recommended councillors endorse the council’s draft submission.

A Bill intended to become the new Local Government Act for Victorian councils was introduced into parliament in May 2018 but lapsed when parliament expired before the November 2018 Victorian election.

It is proposed that the new Bill be presented to parliament this year.

Under the proposed changes, all candidates for council elections will be required to undertake mandatory training. The consultation paper stated the level of training required would be “carefully balanced against the need to not create an unnecessary barrier to participation”.

“Councillors who come into office with a strong understanding of the strategic decision-making role a councillor must perform, will be better equipped to contribute to this important work,” it said.

Cr Hodge said she strongly supported mandatory training for new and returning councillors.

“… council submits that if a councillor has not completed mandatory training within six months of the election then they should be deemed ineligible to continue in the role of a councillor,” council’s submission states.