Elector Representation Review
Have your say on Council's future ward structure and Elected Member composition.
Background
The Local Government Act 1999 (the Act) indicates that Council must undertake a ‘representation review’ to determine whether its community would benefit from an alteration to its composition or ward structure. This generally occurs every eight years as set by the Minister. The District Council of Grant is required to undertake and complete this representation review between April 2024 and April 2025.
The District Council of Grant currently comprises a total of ten Elected Members; one Mayor and nine Ward Councillors. One Councillor represents the Tarpeena Ward, one Councillor represents the Port MacDonnell Ward and seven Councillors represent the Central Ward.
This composition has been in effect since 1999/2000.
The below table shows the current distribution of electors between the existing wards:
What is proposed?
Council agreed at its Special Meeting on Tuesday 3 September 2024 to present a no ward structure / one Council area to the District Council of Grant community which comprises ten Elected Members; one Mayor and nine Area Councillors.
Given Council's existing Central Ward contains approximately 76% of the Council area and is represented by seven of the nine ward Councilors, it was identified that the current ward structure is unequal.
The District Council of Grant wants to ensure that communities from smaller townships and localities are adequately represented on Council. It is proposed that Elected Members will represent the Council area as a whole and all the communities (large and small) ensuring fair and adequate representation of the community, if wards are abolished.
Find out more
- Read the Elector Representation Review Report
- Attend a Drop-In Session:
- In person: Thursday 10 October at the Mount Gambier Regional Airport | 5:00pm to 6:00pm
- In person: Thursday 10 October at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex | 7:00pm to 8:00pm
- *Online: Wednesday 16 October via Microsoft Teams | 5:00pm to 6:00pm
- Registration is essential for the online session and encouraged for the in person sessions. Register your attendance here.
*Please note this Drop-In Session is dependent on online registration numbers.
Have your say
District Council of Grant community members are invited to have their say on the proposed future ward structure and composition. Feedback can be submitted by:
- Completing the online feedback form below (registration / account sign-in required)
- Emailing info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au
- Writing a letter or completing a hard copy feedback form address to the District Council of Grant, PO Box 724, Mount Gambier SA 5290
Community members who submit feedback may speak to their submission in person at a Council forum or meeting. Those wishing to do so must indicate this in their written submission.
Submissions will be accepted until 5:00pm Tuesday 22 October 2024.
Next steps
Council will review feedback submitted during the consultation period at an Elected Member workshop in late October 2024. A summary of this feedback will then be presented at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Monday 18 November 2024. Based on community feedback, a recommendation will also be presented at this meeting to endorse the proposed no ward structure and associated composition or adjust the ward structure and composition for a secondary consultation.
Pending outcomes detailed above, the final ward structure and composition will be submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Australia for review and approval.
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Community consultation approved to commence
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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.
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Council confirm preferred structure and composition for consultation
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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.
Who's Listening
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Phone 08 8721 0444 Email yoursay@dcgrant.sa.gov.au -
Phone 08 8721 0444 Email info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au