By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE NUMBER of Geelong councillors will be reduced by one following a Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) review beginning next week.
The VEC electoral representation review is seeking submissions on the number of councillors and ward boundaries.
By law, the number of councillors at the 2016 municipal elections must be reduced by one, from Geelong’s current 12 (excluding the Mayor) to 11.
The review follows an examination of Geelong’s directly elected mayoral model by the state government.
The Independent reported in September a discussion paper released as part of the Local Government Act review questions the effectiveness of directly electing Geelong’s mayor.
South Barwon Liberal MP Andrew Katos feared the Andrews Labor Government wanted to do away with the directly elected mayor.
The VEC review is separate and will not consider the directly elected mayoral model.
But it will have significant ramifications by changing the number of councillors and altering ward boundaries.
At least two wards will be affected as an amalgamation will be needed to reduce the number of councillors by one.
Should the VEC recommend the maximum 11 councillors and the directly elected mayor is retained, it will leave Geelong with 12 councillors, presenting greater possibilities of hung votes, with Mayor Darryn Lyons holding a casting vote.
The review will recommend whether the municipality should be unsubdivided, with councillors elected from the whole municipality, or subdivided into wards.
The number of wards, their boundaries, the number of councillors per ward and possible ward names will also be considered.
The VEC said the review was needed to ensure there was fair and equitable representation for all voters.
“Public submissions are a vital part of the review process, providing valuable local knowledge and perspectives,” Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said.
A public information session will be held at 7pm on 18 November in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Public submissions open on 11 November. More information is at vec.vic.gov.au.
Input into the Local Government Act review is open until 18 December at yourcouncilyourcommunity.vic.gov.au.
