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Last chance for a say on Victor council wards

The Fleurieu App

Julia Beckett

03 December 2024, 7:31 PM

Last chance for a say on Victor council wards

City of Victor Harbor is asking for community feedback on its draft Representation Review report, prepared after community consultation in September.


The draft report outlines the proposal to retain the current no-wards structure and continue with a structure of the Mayor and nine Area Councillors. 


The Local Government Act requires councils to conduct a representation review at least every eight years, examining issues such as the number of councillors, direct election of a mayor and ward structures.


Community consultation has consistently favoured introduction of wards for Victor Harbor, but the council says the small size of the council area and the lack of distinct townships makes the division of wards impractical.


Alexandrina Council has four wards - Alexandrina North, Alexandrina South and Alexandrina West – each returning three councillors; and a directly elected mayor.


District Council of Yankalilla has two wards – urban Light returning five councillors and rural Field returning four councillors – with the mayor elected from within.


Mayor Moira Jenkins says the intention of consultation is to understand community views and take these into consideration along with a number of other factors.


“Public consultation is a vital part of Council’s decision-making processes. However, it is not a vote but rather information gathering that seeks to inform Council Members in making their decisions,” she says.


She says the feedback received in the initial consultation highlighted a number of areas of concern that can be addressed through alternative approaches, rather than the introduction of wards.


“The feedback was a valuable insight into how our community feels about their connection to their Council Members,” she says.


“Strengthening existing communication channels, implementing targeted engagement initiatives for our rural residents and ratepayers, and enhancing the responsiveness will go a way towards effectively addressing the concerns raised by community members without fundamentally altering the electoral structure.”


The draft Representation Review Report is available on the council website or in hard copy at the Civic Centre.


Written submissions on the draft Representation Review can be made until 5pm on Friday 10 January 2025.


Any changes arising from the representation review would take effect after the 2026 local government election.


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