Review of Council Representation
Yarra will retain its electoral structure of nine Councillors - with three wards each represented by three Councillors - following a review of Council's Electoral Structure.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) undertook the review in 2011. It recommended that the existing structure be maintained, but that some changes be made to the internal ward boundaries.
The Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell accepted the VEC's recommendations in October 2011. The changes that were made to the ward boundaries will apply at the next Council Election, which will be held on Saturday 27 October 2012.
The VEC is required to undertake a review of each municipality's electoral structure at least once every 12 years.
Number of Councillors
As part of its review, the VEC considered whether the number of Councillors in Yarra should be reduced from nine to seven. Yarra does have more Councillors per population than other metropolitan Councils.
The VEC found that the characteristics of the City of Yarra justify it continuing to have nine Councillors. Its report said: "(Yarra's) population is more concentrated than that of any other Victorian municipality, and so inner urban issues are more concentrated as well...Yarra continues to have substantial numbers of residents who are not fluent in English and a high proportion of public housing, and both these groups require special attention by Council. Redevelopment is occurring on a major scale: projects often ignite a strong public reaction, and Councillors need to be fully involved. The population growth resulting from redevelopment could lead to Yarra 'growing into' a size typical of nine-Councillor municipalities".
Ward Boundary changes
As a result of the review, changes were made to the boundaries of the existing three wards within Yarra - Nicholls, Langridge and Melba. The changes do not come into effect immediately. The new ward boundaries will apply at the next Council Election in October 2012.
The changes were made to ensure that the population of each ward is more evenly balanced. The aim is to ensure Yarra residents and businesses have equal access to representation from their Councillors.
Currently, the number of voters in Melba Ward (which covers Richmond, Cremorne and Burnley) is 9.18% above the average population for the three wards, while the number of voters in Nicholls Ward (North Carlton, Princes Hill, North Fitzroy, and parts of Fitzroy, Clifton Hill and Collingwood) is 6.37% below the average. The VEC aims to ensure the number of voters represented by each Councillor is within 10% of the average number of voters per Councillor for that municipality.
Therefore, from the next Council Elections in 2012:
A map of the recommended boundaries is available on the VEC's website here.
According to the VEC, these changes will bring about more equal representation, resulting in the enrolments in Langridge Ward being 4.86% below average, in Melba Ward being 3.18% above average and in Nicholls Ward being 1.89% above average. The VEC believes the new boundaries allow for population shifts over the coming decade.
More detailed information
Here is the VEC's Final Report into Yarra's electoral representation (in both word and PDF format):
More information is available on the VEC's website.
Further information
Ivan Gilbert
Executive Manager - Governance
9205 5110
Ivan.Gilbert@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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