Periodical Elector Representation Review

Every eight years Council is required to consider its composition and structure to ensure that it is representing all electors in the community fairly. As part of the review Council must consider and ask electors for their views on a number of issues.

Mount Barker District Council currently has an elected Mayor and 10 Councillors representing 3 wards (local areas); the North Ward and the Central Ward each being represented by four councillors and the the South Ward being represented by two councillors.

The existing ward structure cannot be retained because the elector ratios in the Central and South Wards breach the specified 10% quota limit prescribed under Section 33(2) of the Local Government Act 1999.

Alternative representation options must be considered with the view to identifying a structure that provides a more equitable balance of electors (which ideally can be maintained, within tolerance, over the extended period between reviews), allows for likely fluctuations in elector numbers, primarily as a consequence of future population growth and residential development, and exhibits an elector ratio that is similar, by comparison, to that exhibited by other councils of a similar size and type (i.e. avoids over-representation).

The Periodical Elector Representation Review Options Paper outlines various options for consideration. It provides six ward structure options to demonstrate how Mount Barker District Council can be divided into wards, should the retention of wards be preferred over the alternative 'no wards' option (i.e. the abolition of wards). You may have other suggestions!

At the 1 February 2021 Council meeting, Council endorsed the commencement of six weeks' community consultation on the Periodical Elector Representation Review Options Paper. This is the first consultation in the Representation Review Process. Following this consultation, Council will review the feedback received and determine its preferred model. It is important to have your say now so that your feedback is considered by Council when determining the preferred model. The preferred model will then be subject to three weeks' community consultation, and public hearings will be held. Council will then prepare a report for presentation to the Electoral Commissioner for certification.

Any changes to Council's composition and/or ward structure will come into effect at the next Local Government election scheduled for November 2022.

Have your say

You are invited to make a submission expressing your views on the future composition and structure of Council. The Periodical Elector Representation Review Options Paper provides details of matters currently under consideration and feedback is welcome.

Council is seeking your feedback on the options contained within the Periodical Elector Representation Review Options Paper. Please complete the online form below by 5.00pm 31 March 2021. You can also send us an email to council@mountbarker.sa.gov.au or post your feedback to PO Box 54 Mount Barker SA 5251.

What does this review include?

Section 12 of the Local Government Act 1999 outlines the requirements of the review to ensure fair and equitable representation of all Mount Barker District Council electors. The review must consider the following elements:

• The principal member of Council;
• The composition of Council;
• The number of elected members required to adequately represent the community and perform the roles and responsibility of Council;
• The division (or not) of the Council area into wards;
• The number of wards;
• The level of representation and elector ratio within each ward;
• Ward names;
• The Council name (if required).