Survey puts mayoral vote in public domain

A state survey asks Geelong residents whether they want to vote for the mayor themselves or let councillors decide.
The question is one of a series on a new Vote Democracy Geelong website for residents to help “decide the future” of their council, according to State Government.
The feedback would help inform a ‘Citizens Jury’ of “the right direction” when it recommended the composition of Geelong’s next council, the Government said.
Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins called the survey a “great opportunity for the people of Geelong to contribute to the process that is re-shaping their local government”.
“Just like at Federal Election time, this type of survey will help residents pick the type of local government representation they want in the future,“ Ms Hutchins said.
The survey asks questions ranging from whether councillors should have regional or ward-based focuses to whether residents deserve a say “on all major council policy matters”.
The survey closes on 24 September, five days before the first sitting of the Citizens Jury.
The Andrews Government appointed newDemocracy Foundation to assemble and conduct the 100-member jury over three Saturdays.
The jury will recommend to the Government a preferred council structure, the number of councillors and how the mayor and deputy should be elected.
Liberal MP Andrew Katos and former mayor Darryn Lyons have raised concerns the jury could recommend scrapping Geelong’s direct mayoral election for a “return to the bad old days” of councillors choosing the mayor themselves behind closed doors.
The previous Coalition Government introduced the direct election after years of community lobbying. The first vote delivered prominent Geelong businessman Keith Fagg as mayor and the second elected Mr Lyons, a former Liberal party member.
But the Labor Andrews Government sacked Mr Lyons with the rest of Geelong’s council in April, citing a bullying culture at City Hall. The Government then appointed three administrators to act as council until the next elections, scheduled for October 2017.
The government initially intended to appoint the administrators for four years but shortened the term amid a public backlash at the length of time without democratically elected councillors.
The state online survey is available at geelongcitizensjury.voc.gov.au. Hard-copy surveys are available at public libraries and council’s customer service centre in Brougham Street, Geelong.