Wards and Representation - Review of

BACKGROUND

The Shire of Beverley has resolved to undertake a review of its ward system to comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act).

Schedule 2.2 of the Act requires local government with wards to carry out reviews of the ward  boundaries and the number of councillors for each ward from time to time so that no more than eight years elapse between successive reviews.

The last review of wards in the Shire of Beverley was undertaken in 2002.

CURRENT SITUATION

Currently the Shire of Beverley has nine (9) councillors elected from three (3) wards.

Click here to view a map showing the Shire's wards.

Click here to view a map showing the Town wards.

REVIEW PROCESS

The review process involves a number of steps;

1. Council resolves to undertake the review;
2. Public submission period opens;
3. Information provided to the community for discussion;
4. Public submission period closes;
5. Council considers all submissions and relevant factors and makes a decision;
6. Council submits a report to the Local Government Advisory Board (the Board) for its consideration; and
7. (If a change is proposed) The Board submits a recommendation to the Minister for Local Government.

If the Minister approves of any changes then these are more likely to be in place for the next ordinary election.

FACTORS to be CONSIDERED

When considering changes to wards and representation, Schedule 2.2 of the Act specifies factors that must be taken into account by a local government as part of the review process.

1. Community of interest;
2. Physical and topographic features;
3. Demographic trends;
4. Economic factors; and
5. Ratio of Councillors to electors in the various wards.
   

The Board offers the following interpretation of these factors.

1. Community of Interest
The term community of interest has a number of elements. These include a sense of community identity and belonging, similarities in the characteristics of the residents of a community and similarities in the economic activities. It can also include a dependence of the shared facilities in an area as reflected in catchment areas of local schools and sporting teams, or the circulation areas of local newspapers.

Neighbourhoods, suburbs and towns are important units in the physical, historical and social infrastructure and often generate a feeling of community and belonging.

2. Physical & Topographic Features
These may be man made features which will vary from area to area. Water features such as rivers and catchment boundaries may be relevant consideration. Beach suburbs, coastal plain and foothills regions, parks and reserves may be relevant as may other man made features such as railway lines and roads.

3. Demographic Trends
Several measurements of the characteristics of human populations, such as population size, and its distribution by age, sex, occupation and location provide important demographic information. Current and projected population characteristics will be relevant as well as similarities between areas within the local government.

4. Economic Factors
Economic factors can be broadly interpreted to include any factors that reflects the character of economic activities and resources in the area. This may include the industries that occur in a local government area (or the release of land for these) and the distribution of community assets and infrastructure such as road networks.

5. Ratio of Councillors to Electors in the Various Wards
It is expected that each local government will have similar ratios of electors to councillors across the wards of its district.

OPTIONS to CONSIDER

The Council will consider the following options and members of the community may suggest other:
          OPTION 1 -  Maintain the current ward system
          OPTION 2  - No wards

Also under consideration will be the number of councillors for each ward and the district.

The names of the wards will also be considered. For example, rather than west, north and south, it may be preferable to use the name of localities, or the names of pioneering families in the district.

PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS

Members of the community are invited to make a written submission about any aspect of the ward boundaries and representation and lodge by any of the following methods:

MAIL                     
Shire of Beverley    
PO Box 20             
Beverley WA 6304

IN PERSON       
136 Vincent Street 
Beverley WA 6304

FACSIMILE      
(08) 9646 1409 

EMAIL
admin@beverley.wa.gov.au  

All submissions must be received by 4:00pm on Friday, 18th February 2011.

Thank you for your interest and involvement in this review. Council welcomes your comments on any matter that may assist it to make informed and responsible decisions for the benefit of the people of the Shire of Beverley.

Cr Dee Ridgway - PRESIDENT

Mr Keith Byers - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER