MEDIA RELEASE

For release from Monday, 7 April 2008

Have your say on Your COuncil

The Victorian Electoral Commission is now asking for feedback on its Preliminary Report for the electoral representation review of the City of Greater Dandenong. The review looks at the number of councillors and the number of wards required to provide fair and equitable representation for all voters.

The City of Greater Dandenong is currently a subdivided municipality with eleven councillors elected from eleven single-councillor wards. The VEC’s preliminary preference is for eleven councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards and one two-councillor ward.

An additional three options have also been provided in the Report for consideration and public comment.

The VEC encourages public input on the options and will be accepting written submissions until Thursday, 1 May, 5.00 pm.

At the Public Hearing, to be held on 8 May at 6.30 pm, submitters who have requested to speak in support of their submissions will be able to do so. The hearing will take place at Meeting Rooms 1 and 2, Council Offices, 397-405 Springvale Road, Springvale and is open to the public.

For a copy of the Preliminary Report, visit the VEC website at www.vec.vic.gov.au.

Copies are also available at the Council Offices, 397-405 Springvale Road, Springvale, and at the VEC office, Level 8, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000. Further information is available by calling the VEC on 13 18 32.

The VEC’s Final Report, containing a final recommendation, will be lodged with the Minister for Local Government on Monday, 26 May 2008.

– ENDS –

Media releases are available from the VEC website http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/rrreleases.html

For further media information:

Claire Macdonald

Victorian Electoral Commission

Tel: 9299 0757

MAPS OF PRELIMINARY OPTIONS FOR

Greater Dandenong City COUNCIL

PRELIMINARY PREFERRED OPTION:
eleven councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards and one two-councillor ward

FIRST PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE OPTION:
eleven councillors to be elected from four two-councillor wards and one three-councillor ward

SECOND PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE OPTION:
nine councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards

THIRD PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE OPTION:
nine councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards, with boundaries different to the second preliminary alternative option

Have your say on Your COuncil

PRELIMINARY PREFERRED OPTION: eleven councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards and one two-councillor ward

FIRST PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE OPTION: eleven councillors to be elected from four two-councillor wards and one three-councillor ward

SECOND PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE OPTION: nine councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards

THIRD PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE OPTION: nine councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards, with boundaries different to the second preliminary alternative option

PRELIMINARY PREFERRED OPTION:
eleven councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards and one two-councillor ward

FIRST PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE OPTION:
eleven councillors to be elected from four two-councillor wards and one three-councillor ward

SECOND PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE OPTION:
nine councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards

THIRD PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE OPTION:
nine councillors to be elected from three three-councillor wards, with boundaries different to the second preliminary alternative option