State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland says she’s had confirmation that the administration of Strathbogie Shire Council will end with October’s local government elections.
An interim administrator was appointed by Victorian Local Government Minister Melissa Horne late last year to run the council in response to a report by Municipal Monitor Peter Stephenson.
The suspension applied to all members of Strathbogie Shire Council and took effect from December 6 until the local council elections in October.
At the time, the minister said responses from the councillors to the report showed council had failed to fully appreciate and address problems, which had resulted in the community receiving sub-standard service.
Ms Cleeland said she had received a briefing from Ms Horne’s office, which confirmed a new council would be elected during October’s elections.
“This is a great opportunity to have genuine, community-focused people in positions that allow them to represent their region,” Ms Cleeland said.
“A clean slate is just what the Strathbogie Shire needs, and I encourage any would-be councillors to put their hand up for the role.
“I know our community is filled with people that can make a real difference at a local government level and put the needs of the local region as their number one priority.”
During the briefing with the minister’s office, Ms Cleeland raised her concerns at the state government’s decision to remove Strathbogie’s ward system and replace it with an unsubdivided structure under which councillors represent the whole municipality instead of a ward.
“The main concern I have about these changes is that it will result in less representation from the Strathbogie Shire’s smaller towns such as Longwood, Violet Town and Strathbogie,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The ward system allowed for relatively even representation across the shire and prevented larger towns from dominating proceedings.
“Not only does it impact these towns’ representation in council-related decisions, but it will also make a considerable impact on the campaign process for electing new councillors.”
In contrast, neighbouring Greater Shepparton has been told by the minister that it will move from an unsubdivided structure to a ward system, while Campaspe Shire is another that will switch to an unsubdivided electoral structure at the October 2024 council elections.