An electoral representation advisory panel is reviewing the electoral structure of Greater Geelong City Council and is seeking your input.
The Local Government Act 2020 (the Act) introduced several changes, including to the electoral structures local councils must have. Throughout 2023–2024, 39 Victorian local councils will undergo electoral structure or ward boundary reviews to ensure they comply with the Act.
Greater Geelong City Council will be reviewed by an independent electoral representation advisory panel, with administrative and technical support from the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). The panel will consider if the council:
- has an appropriate number of councillors
- should be one large unsubdivided area or
- should be subdivided into wards.
Public information sessions about the review will be held on 12 noon on Monday 3 July 2023 and 6:00pm on Tuesday 4 July2023. Visit the VEC website and click the link to attend the live online event.
Your input is valuable. As a local, you know your council area better than anyone. This is your chance to let the panel know your thoughts about what electoral structure would best support representation in your community. This is known as a submission.
Submissions for the Geelong City Council review open on Wednesday 5 July 2023 and close 5:00pm Wednesday 26 July 2023. A submission guide and fact sheet are available on the VEC website.
The panel will consider the submissions and the requirements of the law to propose options for the council’s structure in a preliminary report. You will also be able to share your views on this report.
The panel will then make a final recommendation to the Minister for Local Government. If the Minister accepts this, the structure for Greater Geelong City Council will apply at the October 2024 local council elections.
The key dates for the review are below:
- Public information sessions (online) - 12 noon on Monday 3 July and 6:00pm on Tuesday 4 July 2023
- Preliminary submissions open - Wednesday 5 July 2023
- Deadline for response submissions - 5:00pm on Wednesday 26 July 2023
- Public hearing* - Tuesday 1 August 2023
- Release of final report - Wednesday 30 August 2023
*A public hearing is scheduled for those who have requested to speak in support of their response submission. If there are no requests to speak, the hearing will not be held.
To find out more about the review process and how you can have your say, visit the Greater Geelong City Council review page on the VEC website. August