Mount Alexander Shire Council has slammed a decision by the state government to create a single-member ward structure for the shire ahead of the local government elections in October.
The change will result in the restructuring of the number of wards from seven to eight and an even number of representatives likely resulting in the mayor’s casting vote being used more often.
Council CEO Darren Fuzzard said the council strongly disagreed with the decision to increase the number of councillors from seven to eight.
“As indicated in our submission to the Advisory Panel and to Minister Horne, increasing the number of councillors, and creating an even number of them, is both detrimental to our governance and financially irresponsible,” Mr Fuzzard said.
“We are extremely disappointed that the insights and experience of our councillors and senior officers about what works best for our community have been disregarded by this decision.”
The state government decision to amend the electoral structure of 39 Victorian councils has resulted in single-member ward structures in the Central Goldfields Shire, Bendigo City and Hume City Councils, while a further four councils, not in the immediate area, will change to a multi-member ward structure.
Hepburn will become an unsubdivided municipality represented by seven councillors. Macedon Ranges remains unchanged with a three-ward structure and three councillors per ward.
Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne announced the upcoming changes last week having accepted the recommendation of the Electoral Representation Advisory Panels.
