Concern over ward changes

By Lia Bichel
TWO former City of Casey mayors have voiced their concerns about the possibility of a new electoral structure of Casey City Council.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) last week released a preliminary report outlining four options for the electoral structure of Casey City Council.
As its preferred option, the VEC recommends that Casey City Council be represented by 12 councillors elected from four three-councillor wards. Three alternative options are also being presented for public comment.
Former City of Casey Mayor Colin Butler said he worried that the Balla Balla Ward, representing coastal villages, would be “under threat.”
“What they are proposing worries me. I am worried people living in this ward won’t be represented.
“I am concerned that the existing Balla Balla Ward will be eaten up,” Mr Butler said.
“The City of Casey is very diverse.
“(In Balla Balla), there is residential section in the north and it is all rural in the south.
“Some of the rural will become residential along the way but an enormous amount of rural area needs specialist representation.
“If there are three councilors in the ward, it won’t happen.”
Another former City of Casey Mayor, Berwick resident John Hastie, said he believed the preferred option would divide activity centers in Casey communities.
He also said he was worried about the preferred option would “carve right through Berwick Village” and would create a problem for community groups such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, RSL, Chamber of Commerce and sporting clubs who would need to deal with councillors from different areas.
“I can’t imagine the northern part of Berwick, Harkaway and Endeavour Hills have something in common. They don’t,” Mr Hastie said.
“It is effectively breaking up a community. It will be a headache for community groups.
“I think the other options are worth considering to keep activity centers within one ward.”
The VEC said a range of information, including public submissions, were considered in forming its recommendations for an electoral structure to provide fair and equitable representation for the voters of Casey City Council.
The VEC said it welcomed public responses to the preliminary report.
All submissions must be made in writing and be received by 5pm on Thursday 1 March.
A public hearing will be held at 6.30 pm on Monday 5 March at the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Magid Drive, Narre Warren.
People can speak at the hearing if they have requested to do so in their formal submission.
The preliminary report is available on the VEC website (vec.vic.gov.au) or by calling 131 VEC (131 832).
Copies are also available at the Casey City Council Offices, Magid Drive, Narre Warren.
A final report containing the VEC’s recommendation to the Minister for Local Government will be released on Wednesday 28 March.