Over the past four months the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) have been conducting a review of Banyule’s Electoral structure. Consultation concluded on 18 September and on 16 October 2019 the VEC released their final report including a recommendation for the future electoral structure of Banyule.

The VEC’s recommendation is that Banyule consist of nine single councillor wards.

This recommendation has now been made to the Minister for Local Government who will consider whether to accept the recommendation or put in place an alternate structure. There is no timeframe on when the Minister must make a decision.

Any changes to Banyule’s electoral structure will take place at the next Council Elections in October 2020.

As per the Local Government Act 1989 the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) will be reviewing Banyule's electoral representation structure. The review is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about how well your community is represented.

The review asks you to consider:

• if we have the right number of councillors
• if we should be one large area (unsubdivided) or made up of wards (subdivided)
• if subdivided,
  • how many wards we should have,
  • what the ward boundaries should be,
  • the name of each ward and
  • how many councillors each ward should have (single, multi or combination councillor wards)

The VEC review happens every 12 years, before every third general election and ensures that the electoral structure of a local council provides fair and equitable representation for all voters. The last review was in 2007 where the VEC maintained seven wards, each represented by one councillor, as the best structure for Banyule.

Council's preference is to retain the current structure of seven single councillor wards, as we believe this is the best structure to serve the Banyule community and our voters.

The VEC have recommended three alternate electoral structures for Banyule Council.

Option A – Nine Councillors elected from three – three Councillor wards

Option B - Nine Councillors elected from three – three Councillor wards with different boundaries to option A

Option C – Nine Councillors elected from single Councillor wards

For more information on these options including detailed maps, go to the VEC’s website.

Have your say on these options by making a submission to the VEC. Submissions responding to the preliminary report are due by 5pm, Wednesday 18 September 2019.

There are multiple stages to the VEC Electoral Representation Review process. These stages include:

Stage One: The review begins and preliminary submissions open
The VEC ask for submissions on how you think council would be best represented by its elected members.

Preliminary submissions should address the number of councillors and the electoral structure of Banyule. Online submissions also include a mapping tool called a 'boundary builder'. This tool allows you to test your preferred electoral structures and the ward boundaries for Banyule.

Stage Two: Preliminary report
The VEC review all submissions and release a preliminary report recommending a preferred representation structure. Two or three options will be proposed by the VEC.

Stage Three: Response submissions
The VEC open submissions again. These are referred to as response submissions and should focus on feedback to the VEC's preferred options in their Preliminary Report.

Stage Four: Public hearing
A public hearing will be held for any submitter who wish to be heard in support of their submission. The public hearing is an opportunity for those who have requested to speak to expand on their views. Anyone can attend the public hearing, but only those who have requested to speak in their response submission can speak. The VEC can make special arrangements where necessary to assist people to take part in the public hearing.

Stage Five: Final report
The VEC consider all feedback and make a final recommendation which will be available in a final report. The VEC's final recommendation is proposed to the Minister for Local Government. Any changes to the electoral structure of a Council will come in to affect at the next Council elections in October 2020.

Share your thoughts and make a submission to the VEC. Your input provides valuable local perspectives and knowledge.

To learn more about the Electoral Representation Review please visit the VEC website.

How you can have your say:

1. In a response submission to the VEC's preliminary report.