Submissions slam VEC shire option

SUBMISSIONS to a review of Surf Coast Shire’s electoral structure have overwhelmingly favoured introduction of wards.
Most submissions on Victorian Electoral Commission’s preliminary recommendations supported wards option B.
Many submissions slammed the VEC’s recommendation to retain the existing structure of regional councillors.
Option B proposed four councillors for Torquay, two each for Winchelsea and Anglesea and one for Lorne.
The Anglesea-Airey’s Inlet branch of the Liberal party said the existing system was “totally unsatisfactory”.
“Ratepayers should have access to a councillor fully aware of the issues and attitudes in the community.”
The branch’s submission also said many ratepayers felt “unrepresented” because councillors’ priorities were in Torquay.
Barrabool Rural Protection Group said the existing system led to “poor outcomes for rural communities”.
“It is never clear which councillor to approach on a particular issue and councillors are unsure of how to allocate tasks”.
Friends of Lorne Committee called for councillors who put “community interests fairly and above personal interest”.
“Unfortunately, a legacy of divisiveness continues despite community building initiatives.”
Lorne Business and Tourism Association said the town needed representation on council.
“We need a strong voice who understands the unique issues facing our business and residential community.
“We pay some of the highest rates in the state. Sending one or two councillors to Lorne does not address the issue.”
Lorne Community Association said option B was the best response to resident and ratepayer submissions.
“On the weight of community response, we find it perplexing as to why the preferred option in the preliminary report would be option A,” the association said.
“The sense of disenfranchisement felt by the Lorne community demonstrates that councillors did not comprehend their responsibility to represent all constituents equally rather than focus on their locality.”
Winchelsea Business and Tourism Association said Torquay’s “power centralisation needs to be broken and influence dispersed more widely”.
But Proportional Representation Society of Australia said undivided shires usually provided the best governance.
Ward structures unfairly advantaged some voters, the society said.
“The existence of a Lorne Ward (would) not guarantee that any of the candidates standing in that ward (would) actually reside or own property in that area.”