For release from 2 August 2007.

REPRESENTATION REVIEW GETS UNDERWAY

 

The electoral representation review for the Latrobe City Council 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 the public information session on 16 August,” said the Victorian Electoral Commissioner, Mr Steve Tully.

 

The details for the information session are:

·         Thursday, 16 August 2007 - 7.00 pm

Council Offices, 141 Commercial Road, Morwell

 

 

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.

 

A leaflet with information about the review is being made available at locations throughout the municipality.

 

Key dates for the Latrobe City Council representation review are:

 

Thursday, 30 August 2007 – 5.00 pm – Deadline for preliminary submissions.  Submissions can be mailed, faxed or emailed to the VEC.

 

Thursday, 4 October 2007 – The VEC’s Preliminary Report will be released containing its preferred options.

 

Thursday, 25 October 2007 – 5.00 pm – Deadline for response submissions about the Preliminary Report.

 

Thursday, 8 November 2007 – Public hearing.  People will be able to speak in support of their response submissions if they have requested to do so in those submissions.

 

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

–      ENDS – Media releases are available from the VEC website http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/rrreleases.html For further media information: Aileen Duke Victorian Electoral Commission Tel: 9299 0796

 

Map of the Latrobe City Council

 

The map below shows the current ward boundaries and the voter numbers and deviations from the average number of voters per councillor as at 15 June 2007.