Ward ahead of election

BY ABBY WALTER

Ward structures across Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians and Buloke shires will change ahead of the next local government election.

Electoral structure reviews of the three shires began this week to ensure councils comply with the Local Government Act 2020.

Across Victoria, 39 councils will undergo electoral structure reviews in the next two years.

Northern Grampians comprises four wards, with one councillor in Southwest and Central wards, two councillors in Kara Kara ward and three councillors in Stawell ward.

A Northern Grampians Shire Council spokesperson said the review would consider if the council had an appropriate number of councillors, and if it should be one large, unsubdivided area or continue as subdivided wards.

“If subdivided, the review will consider how many wards the council should have, how many councillors should be in each ward, the ward boundaries and the name of each ward,” they said.

“Already established wards don’t meet the set requirements of the Local Government Act 2020, that small rural shire coun- cils are unsubdivided, or multicouncillor wards with an equal number of councillors per ward, or single-councillor wards.

“There will be a change in the ward structure. To what extent, it is unknown.”

There are three wards in the Yarriambiack electorate.

Hopetoun Ward has two councillors, Warracknabeal Ward three councillors and Dunmunkle Ward two councillors.

No longer compliant

Yarriambiack Shire Council chief executive Tammy Smith said there were an uneven number of councillors across the shire’s three wards.

“This was previously compliant, but no longer meets the requirements under the Local Government Act 2020,” she said.

“The council will be moving towards a compliant structure in accordance with the Act prior to the next Victoria Local Government Elections in October 2024.

“The impact of the review will see alterations made to meet the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020.”

Buloke shire is divided into three wards, with two councillors in Mallee ward, two in Lower Avoca ward and three in Mount Jeffcott ward.

Northern Grampians, Yarriambiack and Buloke shire residents are invited to provide feedback to the review. Submissions are open from today until February 15.

A preliminary report will be published and open for responses from March 15 to April 5 and a final report due for release in May.

After the review is completed, the panel’s recommendation will go to the Minister for Local Government, and if accepted, the changes will apply for October 2024 council elections.

Ms Smith said an independent electoral representation advisory panel, supported by the Victorian Electoral Commission, would conduct the review.

“Yarriambiack is one of the most unique councils in Victoria, covering such a large geographical area with a small population,” she said.

“This is your opportunity to help shape the electoral structure of Yarriambiack Shire and best represent the needs of our community.

“This review impacts all residents and we’d love to see a large number of residents attend the online sessions and provide submissions to help shape the future of the Yarriambiack electorate.”

More information is available online via www.vec.vic.gov.au/ electoral-boundaries/councilreviews/electoral-structurereviews