Buloke Shire Council has moved to write to the Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Melissa Horne, expressing its extreme disappointment in the outcome of a recent Local Council Electoral Structure Review. 

In October 2022, the Minister formed two electoral representation advisory panels to review and provide advice on the electoral structures of 39 local councils, including Buloke.

In its final report handed down in February 2024, and with all recommendations accepted by the Minister, the panel recommended that Buloke Shire Council adopt a multi-councillor ward structure, with a total of 6 councillors, 3 wards and 2 councillors per ward, a reduction of 1 councillor. 

Boundary changes

Whilst the Buloke ward names remain unchanged as Lower Avoca Ward, Mallee Ward and Mount Jeffcott Ward, there are some boundary changes, most notably Birchip will move back into the Mallee Ward. 

All accepted recommendations would take affect for the upcoming Local Government Elections to be held in October this year.

As outlined in Council’s submission made in 2023, it believes the reduction of councillors from seven to six thereby increasing the workload presents a detriment to those considering nominating for Council in the upcoming 2024 general election, particularly in light of Buloke’s geographic size of 8,000 square kilometres with a dispersed population and no major town.

Council is also not in favour of maintaining a subdivided ward structure which results in an even number of Councillors as it does not provide for equitable decision-making and creates a greater chance that Council decisions would be made by a majority vote.

Most appropriate

Mayor, Cr. Alan Getley, says that Council maintains that an unsubdivided model with 7 Councillors was the most appropriate outcome for Buloke. 

“The outcome of the review has been incredibly disappointing given Council outlined very clearly in our submission that, given our geographic size and our service and infrastructure needs, we need to maintain our current Councillor numbers,” said Cr. Getley.

“This outcome concerns me from a decision-making process and its potential to deter candidates from running for Council, given the workload ahead of them for the next 4 years.” 

At the time of going to press the Minister had yet to respond to Council’s correspondence. 

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 5 March 2024.