Elector Representation Review

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Monday 18 November 2024, Council endorsed that they:

1. Receive and note Council report Elector Representation Review Report as presented on 18 November 2024.

2. Proceed with the proposed future composition and structure, outlined in the Representation Report as:

(a) The Council area not be divided into wards (i.e. the existing wards be abolished).

(b) Council be comprised of an elected Mayor, as per Section 51 of the Local Government Act 1999, and nine (9) area councillors, all of whom shall be elected by the community to represent the whole of the council area; AND

3. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to prepare all relevant documentation and refer the Representation Report to the Electoral Commissioner pursuant to section 12(12) of the Local Government Act 1999.

A copy of the Meeting Report, via the Agenda, and Minutes can be found on Council's website.

The District Council of Grant is inviting community members to have their say on the proposed changes to Council’s ward structure as part of its legislated Elector Representation Review.

Council supported in-principal at the Special Council Meeting on 3 September 2024, a no ward structure and one Council area model with a Mayor and nine Councillors equally representing the area is now being proposed.

District Council of Grant Mayor Kylie Boston said it is a priority that all communities in our district, big and small, are equally represented on Council. In the initial stages of the review, it became evident that the existing wards would not be equitable in regard to representation. Elected Members then spent time to identify amendments which would achieve a more equitable distribution.

“Council have considered many different ward structure options over the last 6 months alongside our current and predicted population, Council area size and elector ratios in each ward,” Mayor Boston said.

“It is important to ensure our structure remains viable into the future and adequate representation is provided to all District Council of Grant residents. We are seeking feedback from all of our communities about what they think of the proposal before a final submission is made to the Electoral Commission of South Australia for their consideration.”

District Council of Grant Chief Executive Officer Darryl Whicker explained the Elector Representation Review process is a requirement under the Local Government Act 1999.

“Every eight years Councils are required to undertake this review to determine if their community would benefit from a change to its Elected Member composition or ward structure,” Mr Whicker said.

“If the one Council area model is supported by our community and approved by both Council and Electoral Commission of South Australia, it would take effect from the November 2026 Council elections,”

“I encourage our community to take the time to review the Elector Representation Review Report and submit feedback on the proposal.”

Interested community members are invited to attend a Drop-In Session to find out more about the proposal and speak with Council representatives. Drop-In Sessions will occur:

• Thursday 10 October 2024
  • 5:00pm to 6:00pm at the Mount Gambier Regional Airport, Airport Road, Wandilo
  • 7:00pm to 8:00pm at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex, 5-7 Charles Street, Port MacDonnell
• Wednesday 16 October 2024
  • 5:00pm to 6:00pm via Microsoft Teams – Registrations are essential for this session via the online registration form

Feedback on the proposed no ward structure and Elected Member composition can be submitted in writing until 5:00pm Tuesday 22 October 2024.

More information can also be found online at Your Say DCG: Elector Representation Review.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Monday 16 September 2024, a report was presented detailing Council's Representation Review community proposal that the Council area not be divided into wards and to seek Council’s endorsement for public consultation in accordance with section 12 of the Local Government Act 1999.

Council resolved:

1. Receive and note Council report Elector Representation Review Report as presented on 16 September 2024.

2. Endorse the draft Elector Representation Review as presented for community consultation in accordance with the proposed consultation plan and section 12(3) of the Local Government Act 1999, noting there are minor formatting errors in the document which will be corrected before consultation occurs.

3. Elected Members commit their availability to regularly attend various District Council of Grant Progress Association community meetings where invited/requested.

A copy of the Meeting Agenda and Minutes can be found on Council's website.

At Council's Special Meeting on Tuesday 3 September 2024, a report was presented to seek Council’s ‘in principal’ preferred option in respect to its future composition and structure, to inform the upcoming Elector Representation Review Report (Review Report) in accordance with section 12 of the Local Government Act 1999.

Council resolved:

1. Receive and note Council report Elector Representation Review as presented on 03 September 2024.

2. The Discussion Paper pertaining to the Representation Review (dated April 2024) be received and noted.

3. Council, having considered the Discussion Paper, determines the preferred (in principle) option in respect to its future composition and structure is as follows:

(a) The council area not be divided into wards (i.e. the existing wards be abolished), as per Option 1.

(b) Council be comprised of an elected Mayor, as per Section 51 of the Local Government Act 1999, and nine (9) area councillors, all of whom shall be elected by the community to represent the whole of the council area.

4. A draft “Representation Report” be prepared presenting Council’s proposed/preferred future elector representation arrangement, for consideration and endorsement, prior to the initiation of the public consultation process.

A copy of the Meeting Agenda and Minutes can be found on Council's website.