Periodical Elector Representation Review - Phase 2 Consultation

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Consultation has concluded

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.

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. This means the current elector representation arrangements including ward boundaries and the composition of Council will change due to the impact of growth.


Alternative representation options were considered:

  • To identify a structure that provides a more equitable balance of electors (which ideally can be maintained, within tolerance, over the extended period between reviews),
  • To allow for likely fluctuations in elector numbers, primarily as a consequence of future population growth and residential development; and
  • To exhibit 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).

A Periodical Elector Representation Review Options Paper outlining various options for consideration (as per the above) was the subject of community consultation for six weeks in February/March 2021. Council reviewed the feedback received and has now determined its preferred model for its composition and structure.

A draft Periodical Elector Representation Review Report which details the review process, public consultation undertaken to date and the preferred model which Council considers should be implemented was endorsed by Council at 7 June 2021 Council Meeting for five weeks' community consultation. The minimum period for consultation is three weeks. To view the council report – click here.

Key Messages - What is Proposed

Having duly considered all relevant matters, Council is of the opinion that:

  • the principal member should continue to be a Mayor elected by the community;
  • The Council area should continue to be divided into wards, with adjusted boundaries; and that the proposed ward structure will provide fair and adequate representation of the electors across the whole of the Council area;
  • a change in the number of councillors is not warranted at this time , and the future elected body of Council comprise the Mayor and ten (10) ward councillors;
  • the Central ward continue to be represented by four councillors; the North and South wards each be represented by three councillors;
  • the identification/allocation of appropriate ward names is an important element of the elector representation review and, as such, welcomes further suggestions from the community in respect to the issue of ward names/identification.
Whilst the draft Periodical Elector Representation Review Report represents Council’s current position for the future Council structure and composition (following the extensive process to date) no final decision in respect to Council’s future composition and/or structure will be made until consideration has been given to any and all public submissions which may be received during this second public consultation phase.


Council will then prepare a report for presentation (in October 2021) 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.

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).

Have your say

Copies of the draft Periodical Elector Representation Review Report are also available for inspection and/or purchase at the Council offices at 6 Dutton Road, Mount Barker and Mount Barker Community Library 5 Dumas Street, Mount Barker during business hours.

Submissions are invited and should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 54, Mount Barker 5251, or emailed to yoursay@mountbarker.sa.gov.au, or electronically via the form below.

Submissions must be received by close of business Wednesday 14 July 2021.

Any person making a submission on the draft Periodical Elector Representation Review Report is requested to indicate at the time of making their submission if they wish to address Council in respect of their submission at a public meeting of the Council to be held on Monday 19 July, commencing 5.30pm.

Further information regarding the elector representation review process can be obtained by contacting the Risk and Governance Officer Sue Miller, telephone 8391 7231 or email yoursay@mountbarker.sa.gov.au.

All submissions using this form are acknowledged and details of your submission will be sent to the email provided for your records.

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.

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. This means the current elector representation arrangements including ward boundaries and the composition of Council will change due to the impact of growth.


Alternative representation options were considered:

  • To identify a structure that provides a more equitable balance of electors (which ideally can be maintained, within tolerance, over the extended period between reviews),
  • To allow for likely fluctuations in elector numbers, primarily as a consequence of future population growth and residential development; and
  • To exhibit 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).

A Periodical Elector Representation Review Options Paper outlining various options for consideration (as per the above) was the subject of community consultation for six weeks in February/March 2021. Council reviewed the feedback received and has now determined its preferred model for its composition and structure.

A draft Periodical Elector Representation Review Report which details the review process, public consultation undertaken to date and the preferred model which Council considers should be implemented was endorsed by Council at 7 June 2021 Council Meeting for five weeks' community consultation. The minimum period for consultation is three weeks. To view the council report – click here.

Key Messages - What is Proposed

Having duly considered all relevant matters, Council is of the opinion that:

  • the principal member should continue to be a Mayor elected by the community;
  • The Council area should continue to be divided into wards, with adjusted boundaries; and that the proposed ward structure will provide fair and adequate representation of the electors across the whole of the Council area;
  • a change in the number of councillors is not warranted at this time , and the future elected body of Council comprise the Mayor and ten (10) ward councillors;
  • the Central ward continue to be represented by four councillors; the North and South wards each be represented by three councillors;
  • the identification/allocation of appropriate ward names is an important element of the elector representation review and, as such, welcomes further suggestions from the community in respect to the issue of ward names/identification.
Whilst the draft Periodical Elector Representation Review Report represents Council’s current position for the future Council structure and composition (following the extensive process to date) no final decision in respect to Council’s future composition and/or structure will be made until consideration has been given to any and all public submissions which may be received during this second public consultation phase.


Council will then prepare a report for presentation (in October 2021) 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.

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).

Have your say

Copies of the draft Periodical Elector Representation Review Report are also available for inspection and/or purchase at the Council offices at 6 Dutton Road, Mount Barker and Mount Barker Community Library 5 Dumas Street, Mount Barker during business hours.

Submissions are invited and should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 54, Mount Barker 5251, or emailed to yoursay@mountbarker.sa.gov.au, or electronically via the form below.

Submissions must be received by close of business Wednesday 14 July 2021.

Any person making a submission on the draft Periodical Elector Representation Review Report is requested to indicate at the time of making their submission if they wish to address Council in respect of their submission at a public meeting of the Council to be held on Monday 19 July, commencing 5.30pm.

Further information regarding the elector representation review process can be obtained by contacting the Risk and Governance Officer Sue Miller, telephone 8391 7231 or email yoursay@mountbarker.sa.gov.au.

All submissions using this form are acknowledged and details of your submission will be sent to the email provided for your records.