HAVE YOUR SAY: Comment on how your local government is structured

ABOLISHING wards is among options councils such as the cities of Subiaco, Vincent and Rockingham and towns of Cottesloe and Cambridge are asking their ratepayers to consider during a ward and representation review.

The cities of Stirling and Fremantle are suggesting changes to ward boundaries.

Local governments that operate with wards have to review their ward boundaries and councillor representation every eight years.

See more https://www.communitynews.com.au/western-suburbs-weekly/news/department-of-local-government-calls-for-robust-debates-around-ward-reviews/

The City of Perth Act 2016 triggered the last review for Subiaco two years ago and the City has released its latest review for public comment until November 6, with five options;

• Option 1 – No wards (6, 8, 10 or 12 councillors and mayor)
• Option 2A – Two wards (East-West) – 8 or 12 councillors and mayor
• Option 2B – Two wards (North-South) – 8 or 12 councillors and mayor
• Option 3 – Three wards – 6 or 12 councillors and mayor
• Option 4 – Four wards – 8 or 12 councillors and mayor

Subiaco Mayor Penny Taylor said the review was about the future structure of the Subiaco Council to ensure it was equitable.

“The community wants council to do its job: listen to all and make discerning decisions,” she said.

“By participating in the review you can give feedback on the structure that you think will best represent your interests and allow for good governance and decision making.”

Visit https://www.haveyoursay.subiaco.wa.gov.au/wardreview.

It has been eight years since the last City of Vincent review and its current discussion paper has put forward four options for ward and representation change.

• Option 1 – no change;
• Option 2 – move the part of Leederville presently in the South ward to the North ward;
• Option 3 – increase the number of South ward council members to five; and
• Option 4 – no wards.

Councillors examined the options before voting to defer a decision on the paper’s release for consultation.

“I don’t think these options reflect what the break-up of our wards is,” Councillor Joshua Topelberg said.

This was echoed by Cr Roslyn Harley.

“Wards are at the core of our identity as a city,” she said.

Along with the four suggestions, members of the public are invited to put other options forward during the consultation process, which will open soon.

Cottesloe has released its review for public comment, asking for feedback on keeping four wards, eight councillors and a directly elected mayor, or no wards with eight councillors and a directly elected mayor.

A third option is no wards with six councillors and an elected mayor and the fourth is three wards with six councillors and an elected mayor.

Residents have until November 21 to comment at www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au.

Stirling has presented four options to its ratepayers;

• Option 1a – Current ward structure with minor realignment of the boundary between Doubleview and Hamersley wards
• Option 1b – Current ward structure with minor realignment of the boundary between the Coastal, Doubleview and Hamersley wards
• Option 1c – Current ward structure with minor realignment of the boundary between the Coastal, Doubleview, Hamersley and Osborne wards
• Option 2 – Four ward structure.

Make a submission at www.yoursay.stirling.wa.gov.au/WardReview by November 2.

Comments on Fremantle’s review close on November 16. Its options include maintaining the status quo pending population increases triggered by upcoming development in the City, adjusting the boundary between Beaconsfield and Hilton wards to address the Local Government Advisory Board’s preferred deviation percentage and holding a comprehensive review and reconfiguration of all boundaries.

Visit https://mysay.fremantle.wa.gov.au/ward-review.

Some councils such as the Town of Bassendean, Shire of Murray and cities of Bayswater, Cockburn, Joondalup, Wanneroo, Gosnells and Armadale have held reviews and in some cases made changes to their structure in the past few years.

Bassendean, which does not have wards, reviewed its representation before last year’s elections and went from six to seven councillors as a result. Bayswater completed its last mandatory review in 2012, Cockburn completed its review in 2017, Mandurah will hold its next review in 2022, Joondalup completed a review in 2013, Wanneroo’s last review was in 2015 and Gosnells’ next review is due in 2024.

Murray abolished the ward system in 2010 because wards such as South Yunderup and Pinjarra were increasing by large numbers and it was difficult to balance ward councillor representation with the interests of the wider community.

The Shire also went from 12 to nine councillors during that review.

Armadale will complete its review before the council elections next year and give ratepayers options such as moving to a single ward and changing the number of wards.

Consultation on the City of Rockingham’s latest review closed on September 21 and the council will consider a report by the end of the year.

Ratepayers were presented with six options:

• Option 1: No ward boundaries. Maintain 10 councillors.
• Option 2: Create two wards (East and West) using main roads, suburb boundaries, physical, typographic features and communities of interest. Maintain 10 councillors with six in the West ward and four in the East ward.
• Option 3: Create three wards (East, North and South) using main roads and suburb boundaries. Maintain 10 councillors with four in the North ward, three in the East ward and three in the South ward.
• Option 4: Amend current wards along suburb boundaries. Maintain 10 councillors with two in Rockingham ward, three in the Baldivis ward, three in the Safety Bay ward and two in Comet Bay ward.
• Option 5: Amend current wards along suburb boundaries and increase councillor representation to 11. Two in Rockingham ward, three in the Baldivis ward, three in the Safety Bay ward and three in Comet Bay ward.
• Option 6: Create three wards (East, North and South) using main roads and suburb boundaries and reduce councillor representation to 9. Three in the North ward, three in the East ward and three in the South ward.