Council
9 July, 2023
Slice and dice - 'Pizza cut' model proposed for city wards
The map of Horsham is about to be sliced up - and it could end up looking like a giant pizza. The "pizza cut" model is one of three put forward by the Victorian Electoral Commission as it seeks to redraw the municipality - creating seven new council...
The map of Horsham is about to be sliced up - and it could end up looking like a giant pizza.
The "pizza cut" model is one of three put forward by the Victorian Electoral Commission as it seeks to redraw the municipality - creating seven new council wards.
This means that next time Horsham voters go to the polls, they will be voting for a councillor to represent their own neighbourhood, if the VEC recommendations take effect.
A review into the structure of Horsham Rural City Council began last week, as part of a statewide overhaul of all Victorian councils.
The VEC's brief is to consider if each council has the appropriate number of councillors, and whether or not each municipality should be one large unsubdivided area, or subdivided into wards.
Horsham has remained an unsubdivided electorate since amalgamation in 1994 - but that is likely to change for the next local government elections in 2024.
In preliminary findings, the VEC advisory panel found the existing number of councillors (seven) to be appropriate for Horsham Rural City Council.
This was based on HRCC's characteristics in relation to similar regional city councils, including its population - with only a modest change expected in coming years - the number and distribution of voters, and the size and geography of the council.
However, the panel recommends Horsham be divided into seven wards - each represented by a single councillor.
Three seven-ward models have been put forward for public consideration which, the VEC argues, best offer fair and equitable representation, and "consequently facilitate good governance".
Each model proposes different boundaries for the wards, with the first two splitting Horsham city into five wards, and the outlying areas into two.
The third model is significantly different to models 1 and 2, because every ward would include part of Horsham city and stretch out to the edge of the municipal boundary, in what the VEC describes as a "pizza cut" model.
Ward names assigned to this model are: Verandah, Kalkee, Darlot, Pine Lake, Black Range, Toolondo and Lake Wyn Wyn.
The panel is now seeking feedback on these models, with residents invited to submit their responses by July 19.
A total of 39 shire, regional city and metropolitan councils are under review, following the adoption of the Local Government Act 2020.
Two electoral representation advisory panels were formed in October last year, and the VEC began a public information program in mid-December.
The panels are independent of councils and the state government.
The Act introduced several changes to local government representation, including the types of electoral structures local councils may have.
Numerous factors have been considered ahead of the reviews, including patterns of population change, the current and past numbers of councillors, and whether their representation reflects the needs of their communities.
The panel is also considering the name of each ward.
People can put their views in writing - and even draw a map of their own preferred ward boundaries if they wish.
If any submitters wish to speak at a public hearing, the panel will hold an online public hearing on July 26.
Following this, the panel will present its final recommendation to the Minister on August 23.
“This is your chance to let the panel know your thoughts about your preferred electoral structure and how well your community is represented,” the VEC website states.
Reviews into neighbouring council areas - including Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians and Buloke - began earlier this year.
More information about the review process is available on the VEC website at vec.vic.gov.au/horsham