Feedback sought on borough electoral structure

THE community is invited to have its say on two options proposed for the Borough of Queenscliffe’s 2020 electoral structure, following the release of a report from the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).

The preliminary report is part of the VEC’s electoral representation review of the Borough of Queenscliffe, which started in January 2019 with an information session and a month-long public submission period.

The VEC asked community members to consider the number of councillors and whether the council should be subdivided into wards.

Twenty-two preliminary submissions were received, all of which were carefully considered in drawing up the options, which in end did not include an option for subdivision into wards.

The VEC also analysed demographic, geographic and electoral data and trends.

The Borough of Queenscliffe’s existing structure is unsubdivided with five councillors. The options outlined in the preliminary report are:

Option A: Five councillors elected from an unsubdivided electoral structure.

Option B: Six councillors elected from an unsubdivided electoral structure.

Electoral commissioner Warwick Gately AM encouraged community members to get involved by reviewing the report and making a submission.

“We want to ensure all voters are represented in a fair and equitable way, so now’s the time to speak up,” Mr Gately said.

“You have one month to consider the options and make your submission supporting or opposing the options.”

Submissions responding to the preliminary report should address the options and must be received by the VEC by 5pm Wednesday May 1.

Submissions can be made online at vec.vic.gov.au, by email or by post.

A public hearing will be held at 6pm on Wednesday May 8 at the Queenscliff Town Hall, 50 Learmonth Street, Queenscliff, for anyone who has requested to speak in support of their submission.

If there are no requests to speak, the hearing will not be held.

The preliminary report is available at the website at vec.vic.gov.au.

Copies are also available for inspection at the Borough of Queenscliffe offices.