Council laws move ‘crazy’
Geelong says no to revamp
EELONG councillors have slammed the State Government’s “crazy” attempt to force through new local government reforms without giving council time to consult on the proposed changes.
Councillors this week unanimously voted against supporting the introduction of the Local Government Bill 2019, calling on Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek to allow more time for community consultation.
Last month Mr Somyurek announced the Government’s intention to introduce a new Local Government Act with six proposed reforms, giving councils 30 days to provide a submission.
The reforms include a return to single-councillor wards despite Geelong’s 2016 Commission of Inquiry — which led to the sacking of the council — slamming the structure.
“Single-councillor wards have had the effect of undermining good governance, compromising decision-making by trading off decisions for the common good in favour of ward interests and distorting resource allocation and rational priorities,” the report noted.
“This has led to councillor and senior management relationships that have been destructive of frank advice and ingrained second-guessing by council officers of future council decisions.”
Cr Kylie Grzybek this week said that the “very, very short turnaround time” for council submissions to the proposed changes were expected despite councils not having been given exposure to the draft of the Bill.
“The proposed changes are significant and we have not had the opportunity to properly consult our community to find out what they think of them,” Cr Grzybek said.
“The proposal to return to single-councillor wards is of particular interest given we have only just moved to multiple-councillor wards based on the recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry. It’s very important we find out from our community which system they feel gives them the best representation.”
Cr Ron Nelson said the minister’s expectation of a 30day response from the council was “just crazy”.
“They’re denying us our right to consult our community,” Cr Nelson said.
The Local Government Bill 2019 proposed reforms include: A PREFERENCE for singlecouncillor wards; SIMPLIFYING and clarifying enrolments for voters in council elections; INTRODUCING mandatory training for council election candidates and councillors; CAPPING electoral campaign donations and gifts; ALLOWING for the dismissal of a councillor after a community initiated Commission of Inquiry; and, DEFINING standards of conduct to guide behaviour and make dealing with conduct issues faster and easier.