The submission period for the VEC review of Ararat Council closes soon
THE Victorian Electoral Commission has urged residents in the Ararat Rural City district to have their say on the council review while they still can.
Preliminary submissions to the Victorian Electoral Commission City Council electoral representation review of Ararat Rural City Council will close at 5pm on Wednesday February 27.
The electoral representation review, undertaken by the Victorian Electoral Commission, will examine aspects of council’s structure, including:
- the number of councillors;
- whether the council should be subdivided into wards;
- if subdivided, the number of wards, ward boundaries, and the number of councillors per ward.
Council reviews are undertaken every 12 years, although can occur more frequently.
The VEC is currently reviewing 30 councils besides the Ararat Rural City.
An information session was held in late January and was attended almost entirely by rural residents, who expressed concern at not being adequately represented by the council.
In a statement the commission said that 'public input is a vital part of the review process, providing valuable local perspectives and knowledge.'
The VEC will release its preliminary report with proposed options for the council’s electoral structure on Wednesday March 27, and will then accept response submissions.
To find out more about the review process and how to submit a submission, visit the VEC website or call 131 832.
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