By Jessica Micallef
Hume council has labelled a potential move to single councillor wards as leaving residents “without formal representation”.
Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek announced last month the state government’s intention to introduce the Local Government Bill 2019 into Parliament later this year, with six reforms proposed.
The changes include single councillor wards, training of candidates prior to nomination and induction training for councillors prior to them being eligible for councillor allowances.
Hume council has three multi-member wards, with three or four members in each.
Hume corporate services director Daryl Whitfort said the council had benefited with multi-member wards.
“Hume city council has experienced both single and multi-member ward structures since the local government area was formed in 1997,” he said.
“Since the move away from single member wards, council has experienced an increasing level of whole of council strategic thinking, planning, representation and accountability to all ratepayers.”
Mr Whitfort said the current multi-member ward structure provided residents greater “formal representation”.
Councils have until July 31 to provide feedback on the proposed reforms.
