As representation reviews get underway for a number of councils around Victoria, one Mayor has expressed disappointment in the short notice and limited period for community input.
Strathbogie Shire Mayor Laura Binks said her council had hoped the community would have longer to understand the process and provide feedback, and that an extension to the review has been requested.
The review was announced last month, with the public submission period opening on 1st February. Interested people have 21 days to make a submission to an independent electoral representation panel.
The panel must consider how councils can be structured to comply with the Local Government Act 2020, which requires councils to have either single-councillor wards; multi-councillor wards with an equal number of councillors per ward; or be unsubdivided.
Strathbogie currently has five wards: three single member wards, and two wards with two councillor representatives.
Twelve councils are part of the first round of reviews commencing this month, with a further 27 councils expected to undergo the process prior to the next council elections in October 2024.