By JESSE GRAHAM
THE VICTORIAN Electoral Commission (VEC) will be reviewing the electoral representation of the Yarra Ranges Shire, and is asking residents to have their say.
The VEC announced on Wednesday 29 July that it would be accepting public submissions while running a review of the electoral structure of the shire, beginning on 5 August.
The review was announced “to ensure that it provides fair and equitable representation for all voters”, and will assess whether the current number of councillors is adequate; whether the municipality should be unsubdivided – where councillors are elected from the whole municipality, rather than in wards; and, if subdivided, how the wards will be named, divided and the number of councillors per ward.
VEC Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said public submissions were “a vital part of the review process” and provided “valuable local knowledge and perspectives.”
Submissions will be accepted until 5pm Wednesday 2 September, and a preliminary report will be released on Wednesday 30 September.
After that, residents will have roughly a month to make submissions in response to the report, with a deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 28 October.
By 25 November, the final report will be released, containing the VEC’s recommendations for the Local Government Minister which, if accepted, will come into force for council’s October 2016 election.
The Mail contacted Yarra Ranges Council about the review, and was told by manager of Corporate Affairs Jennifer Bednar that the VEC would be reviewing more than 20 other councils along with Yarra Ranges.
“The Local Government Act 1989 requires the VEC to conduct electoral representation reviews before every third council election, approximately every 12 years, and Yarra Ranges is due for review,” Ms Bednar said.
“Representation reviews are a key mechanism to ensure that all voters in our municipality have their concerns and interests fairly and equitably represented.
“The first review paper will not be released by the VEC until 5 August, which is the Guide for Submissions, until then it is too early for council to comment.”
Three information sessions on the review will be held, with one on Monday 10 August at the Yarra Ranges Council offices at 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale, another on Wednesday 12 August at Healesville’s Memorial Hall, and one on Thursday 13 August at the Monbulk Community Link.
All of the sessions will begin at 7pm.
For more information, visit vec.vic.gov.au, email yarraranges.review@VEC.vic.gov.au or call 131 832.
