VEC backflips on Surf Coast review: ‘Introduce wards’

By Cherie Donnellan
SURF Coast Shire should be divided into wards, according to Victorian Electoral Com-mission.
The commission recommended wards to State Government this week despite backing retention of an “unsubdivided” shire in a draft electoral boundary review last month.
The commission released its final report on Wednesday, recommending its “option B” for wards for Torquay, Winchelsea, Anglesea and Lorne.
The Independent reported in February that submissions to the VEC overwhelmingly slammed the preferred option, calling for a ward system to be implemented.
The submissions supported option B, which proposed four councillors for Torquay, two for both Anglesea and Winchelsea and a single councillor in Lorne.
Former Geelong councillor and Barrabool resident Heather Wellington was “thrilled” with the commission’s decision.
Ms Wellington said the existing structure failed to consider the “diversity of interests” within the shire.
“A ward structure means the community will have councillors who are responsible for listening and responding to their concerns.”
Ms Wellington said she would encourage Winchelsea Ward residents to “put their hand up” for council.
“It can be quite daunting for people to run for council but we need the community’s support.
“What would be great is to have someone very passionate about our community to run for the positions.”
Former Surf Coast councillor and Winchelsea resident Lyndsay Schroeter said Torquay would still have a “monopoly” under the proposed model.
“A councillor representing Winchelsea could live in Torquay and they won’t support Winchelsea the way it needs to be supported.”
Mr Schroeter said Torquay’s community had “very different concerns” to the rural interests of Winchelsea residents.
Surf Coast councillors often “neglected” Winchelsea be-cause they were too concerned with “getting Torquay initiatives through”, he said.
Proportional Society of Australia has expressed similar concerns, saying Lorne Ward’s councillor would not necessarily have to live or own property in the area.