For immediate release
REPRESENTATION REVIEW GETS UNDERWAY
The electoral representation review for East Gippsland Shire has begun. The review, conducted by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC), will consider the number of councillors for the municipality and the municipality’s electoral structure.
“Anyone interested in the review should attend one of the public information sessions being held on 13 and 14 August,” said the Victorian Electoral Commissioner, Mr Steve Tully.
The details for the information sessions are:
· Monday, 13 August 2007 - 7.00 pm
Library Business Centre, 1 Ruskin Street, Orbost
· Tuesday, 14 August 2007 - 7.00 pm
Corporate Centre, 273 Main Street, Bairnsdale
In conducting its review, the VEC will consider a range of information including arguments and evidence in public submissions.
Any person or group may make a written submission to the VEC about the review. Submissions do not have to be elaborate documents. A letter is perfectly acceptable, as long as it deals with the matters covered by the review. The VEC recommends consulting its Guide for Submissions, which outlines the issues involved.
Information about the review has been included in the Council’s rates brochure.
Key dates for East Gippsland Shire representation review are:
Tuesday, 28 August 2007 – 5.00 pm – Deadline for preliminary submissions. Submissions can be mailed, faxed or emailed to the VEC.
Wednesday, 3 October 2007 – The VEC’s Preliminary Report will be released containing its preferred options.
Friday, 26 October 2007 – 5.00 pm – Deadline for response submissions about the Preliminary Report.
Thursday, 1 November 2007 – Public hearing – 6.30 pm. People will be able to speak in support of their response submissions if they have requested to do so in those submissions. The venue is:Corporate Centre, 273 Main Street, Bairnsdale.
Monday, 26 November 2007 – The VEC will lodge its Final Report with the Minister for Local Government.
Any new electoral arrangements resulting from the review process would apply at the next Council election.
For more information, telephone the VEC on 13 18 32 or visit the VEC website www.vec.vic.gov.au
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– ENDS – Media releases are available from the VEC website http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/rrreleases.html For further media information: Paul Thornton-Smith Victorian Electoral Commission Tel: 9299 0732 |
Map of East Gippsland Shire
The map below shows the current ward boundaries and the voter numbers and each ward’s difference from the average number of voters per councillor as at 4 July 2007.
