Minister approves changes to ward and representation

Published on Friday, 18 January 2019 at 3:40:43 PM

Council’s resolution to move away from the current ward system and reduce the number of Councillors has been approved by the Minister of Local Government Hon. David Templeman MLA.

In a formal letter from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the City was advised the Minister had approved the recommendation of the Local Government Advisory Board to abolish the City of Greater Geraldton’s current ward structure and to reduce the number of Councillors from 14 to 12.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said he is pleased with the decision and thanked the Minister for his support.

“A no ward system is the simplest and most democratic form of representation and I am pleased the Minister agreed with our recommendation on the matter,” he said.

“I’d like to thank him for supporting our Council and our community by endorsing the outcomes of our ward and representation review.”

The matter as to whether or not there will be a spill at October 2019 election has yet to be determined.

In 2018, the City undertook a Ward and Representation Review in accordance with the Local Government Act 1995. All local governments with wards must carry out reviews of their ward boundaries and the number of Councillors for each ward at least once every eight years.  The last time wards and representation were reviewed was in 2011, when the then City of Geraldton Greenough merged with the Shire of Mullewa.

Councillor group photo

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