The Case For Wards

The following is the case, as prepared by Council, for the division of Palerang into wards.

• Wards would give voters in Palerang representation in each particular area and ensure that Council hears specific information about the area.
• Councillors would still be able to represent the interests of other wards as well as the one they were elected in.
• Without wards, it is possible that most councillors could be elected from the one local area, causing some parts of the LGA to be without local representation.
• Wards ensure a knowledge base of all of the Council’s area all the time.
• Wards promote common interests within geographical areas and enable residents to identify specific councillors with a real interest in and knowledge of their area.
• It may be less daunting and expensive for candidates to seek election as a ward councillor than to seek election in the LGA as a whole. Ward elections can even be decided without a vote if only the requisite number of candidates nominate.
• A system of wards reduces the administrative cost of by-elections. If a sitting councillor leaves office and a by-election has to be held, only eligible voters in the ward have to vote to fill the vacancy.
• Communication to constituents could be more effectively targeted to the issues that matter most in the ward area. Councillors build up a knowledge bank of their particular ward, become better known and can thus be more responsive to their constituents.

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The following are the cases for the establishment or retention of a ward system, prepared by the three councils that held referenda on the subject at the 2008 LGA elections.

Case presented by Cabonne Council

In an all-of-area system:

• Councillors may not have a local focus/community of interest
• Ratepayers may perceive that there isn’t a personalised service approach
• Perceived loss of local area representation
• Higher cost for by-elections because all electors would be required to vote as opposed to a single ward.

In a ward system:

• Councillors may be identified with a particular area of the Shire
• Councillors may have a more intimate knowledge of a particular issue

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Case presented by Sydney City Council

1. Wards give you strong local representation for your particular area and ensure that Council hears specific knowledge about the area.
2. Councillors are responsible to the whole City’s interests as well as interests of the local area. Councillors are also able to represent the interests of other wards as well as the one they were elected in.
3. Without wards, there is the risk that all or most councillors could be elected from the one local area, resulting in this area dominating Council at the expense of others. A ward system prevents this by ensuring equal numbers of Councillors are elected from different areas of the LGA. This also ensures a composite knowledge of all of the Council’s area is present on the Council all the time.
4. Wards promote common interests within geographical areas and those interests can then be represented on Council.
5. It is less daunting and expensive for candidates to seek election as a ward councillor than to seek election in the City as a whole.
6. A system of wards reduces the administrative cost of by-elections. If a sitting councillor leaves office and a by-election has to be held; only eligible voters in the ward have to vote to fill the vacancy.
7. Communication to constituents could be more effectively targeted to the issues that matter most in the ward area.

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Case presented by Weddin Council

1. Advantages of the ward system:
1. The ward/riding system has served the shire well for many years and is well regarded, particularly in the rural areas.
2. The wards enable all sections of the shire to have a share of representation.
3. The wards enable rural residents to identify specific councillors with a real interest in and knowledge of their area.
4. Many ward elections are decided without the need for voting, when only two candidates nominate.
5. Councillors don’t have to travel so far to visit constituents or to inspect problems.
6. Councillors build up a knowledge bank of their particular ward.
7. Councillors are well known by and responsive to their constituents.
2. Disadvantages of open voting (no wards):
1. Some sections of the shire may not have a local councillor.
2. All councillors could come from Grenfell, or all from rural areas.
3. Some electors may not know their closest councillor.

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