Ward dilemma

By Shaun Inguanzo
GREATER Dandenong councillors are divided over the Victorian Electoral Commission’s (VEC) plan to change the city from 11 single-councillor wards to four multi-councillor wards.
The VEC released its preliminary report on Greater Dandenong’s electoral representation review this week to both the applause and concerns of the city’s incumbent councillors.
Its preferred option recommends four wards named Silverleaf, Lightwood, Paperbark and Red Gum, each with three councillors except for Lightwood, which would host two. The three alternative options also suggest multi-councillor wards, with the first alternative pitching five wards and 11 councillors in total.
The second and third alternatives each recommend reducing the number of councillors from 11 to nine, and the number of wards from 11 to three.
Councillors are divided on the VEC’s preliminary options, which are now subject to public consultation, and available to view on the VEC website.
Greater Dandenong mayor John Kelly said he was not phased by changes to the ward system, with the former City of Dandenong having multi-councillor wards.
“We need to be mindful that current councillors shouldn’t be doing this for themselves,” Cr Kelly said of the review.
“This is an opportunity for ratepayers to jump on board, and write-in and make their thoughts known.”
But Noble Park North Ward councillor Maria Sampey said she was opposed to the proposal and believed the council should fight it.
The council’s preliminary submission to the VEC has urged it to retain the existing 11 single-councillor ward system.
“I just think that they (the VEC) are not listening,” Cr Sampey said.
“To me, if you go down the path of say three wards with nine councillors, it’s nothing to do with money, but it’s more about the people thinking of running for council.
“Instead of say 9000 residents (in each ward), we have got triple the amount of people to deal with.
“People will then have serious thoughts about whether or not they should run for council.”
The VEC’s report also dismisses suggestions by several residents to remove the ward system and have an undivided city with numerous councillors.
The VEC this week released a media statement urging residents to have their say on the proposed ward changes.
The VEC will accept written submissions until Thursday 1 May at 5pm, and subsequent to that a public hearing will be held on 8 May at 6.30pm at the Springvale Road council building.
The VEC’s final report – containing its final recommendation – will be handed to Local Government Minister Richard Wynne on 26 May for approval.
Any ward and councillor changes would, in effect, be for voting at the City of Greater Dandenong elections to be held later this year.