Coorong Representation Review Proposes Changes to Council Composition
Coorong District Council is inviting community feedback on proposed changes to its composition and ward structure as part of its current Elector Representation Review.
Coorong District Council’s Mayor Paul Simmons is pleased to present a proposal that gives the community as a whole greater say in the election of the Mayor and councillors, and improves on the efficiency of the organisation.
South Australian councils are required under the Local Government Act 1999 to conduct an elector representation review every eight years, and examine whether a council would benefit from alteration to its composition, including methodology for election of the Mayor, the number of councillors and whether wards are appropriate.
Feedback captured in the first stage of community consultation undertaken during April and May has assisted in forming a proposal that sets out the following changes:
- The principal member of Council be a Mayor elected by the community.
- The Council area not be divided into wards (i.e. wards be abolished).
- The future elected body of Council comprise the Mayor and seven (7) area councillors, all of whom shall represent the whole of the Council area and shall be elected by the community at council-wide elections.
“Our community has been well-engaged in the process through the first consultation stage, with a majority of respondents indicating their preference for the changes proposed”, says Mayor Paul Simmons.
A Representation Review Report has been developed that outlines the proposed changes to Coorong District Council’s composition and ward structure and is currently available to view at any Council office or online.
The report also provides information on corresponding changes that will be coming into effect around the method of electing the Mayor, regardless of Coorong District Council’s decision; the Statutes Amendment (Local Government Review) Act 2021 will require the principal member to be elected as a representative of the area as a whole.
“We now look forward to hearing what the community thinks about the proposal put forward by Coorong District Council in this second and final stage of consultation,” says Mayor Paul Simmons.
Written submissions are invited from the community in relation to the Representation Review Report until close of business on Friday, 30 July 2021.
A final report will be presented to Council in August 2021 for Council decision.
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Contact:
Bridget Mather
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | COORONG DISTRICT COUNCIL
Phone: 1300 785 277 | E: bmather@coorong.sa.gov.au