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Preliminary Submission to Monash Electoral Review by
Monash Ratepayers Association Inc.
A00270067M.
Introduction:
About Us:
The Monash Ratepayers Association Inc. (MRA) formerly, Waverley Ratepayers Association Inc., has been around for some twelve years. Its membership consists of ratepayers from across the city of Monash from all walks of life and numbers around 700. The MRA has had significant success on a number of important local issues large, such as the Hamilton Place decision (stopping gaming machines), and small, such as traffic lights at Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre.
The City of Monash:
The City of Monash has a population of 161,841 which is 34% above the Metropolitan Median average. The number of Voters is 121,962 which is 33% above the Metropolitan Median Average. The current number of Voters per Councillor (8) is 15,245 in single ward constituencies, which is 43% higher than the Metropolitan Median Average. Therefore we believe that the City of Monash should increase the number of Councillors to eleven which equates to 11,087 Voters per Councillor which is closely aligned to the Metropolitan Median Average of 10,609.
The current system of single member wards favours candidates who are backed by political organizations as it is a winner takes all process. Whereas proportional representation ensures other candidates have a chance of election. The rationale for the odd number of Councillors is to avoid the situation of a hung Council, which is currently possible with Monash’s eight Councillors. As the Act dictates a maximum number of twelve, there is therefore no higher odd number of Councillors that can be entertained pursuant to the Act.
Method of Election:
The MRA supports the view that Proportional Representation by Postal Ballot should apply to future elections in the City of Monash. This is consistent with our earlier proposition of eleven Councillors. We are proposing that there be Four Wards consisting of an equal number of voters per councillor and that they should be:
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Three Wards of Three Councillors with 33,262 voters per ward | |
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One Ward of Two Councillors with 22,175 voters. |
The reason behind this model is that it allows for the increase of population that is not taken into account by the ABS figures when the Waverley Park subdivision comes on line. The Ward submission deals with the division of the City by the Monash Freeway. The above proposal is a variation on the model adopted for the City of Moreland.
Ward Boundaries:
The first matter that should be considered is that the Monash Freeway divides the City of Monash in two and acts as a barrier to communities of interest North and South of it. The portion of the City as much as possible, South of the Freeway should consist of one ward of Three Councillors and one ward of Two Councillors.
The balance of the City North of the Freeway should be divided into two wards of Three Councillors each.
Blackburn Road should be as much as possible be the significant East / West divider.
Ward Names:
The names should be consistent with either geographic (i.e. compass directions) or place names that are of significant importance to the Community within each Ward. This would be better addressed when the Proposed Wards are identified.
I respectfully request that the MRA be given the opportunity to make further written and verbal submissions at the appropriate time.
Yours sincerely,
Philip Daw
President, Monash Ratepayers Association Inc.
Felicity Smith
Secretary, Monash Ratepayers Association Inc.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Electoral Representation Review – Monash City Council.
Victorian Electoral Commission
Level 8, 505 Little Collins Street
Melbourne Vic.3000
Via email: monash.review@vec.vic.gov.au
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