INADEQUATE numbers of councillors in fast-growing Whittlesea has caused perceived failures of governance, Yan Yean MP Danielle Green has told an inquiry.
Ms Green has called for one of two extra councillors to be based in the municipality’s rural north.
As the Victorian Electoral Commission considers granting Whittlesea an extra two councillors to address its population growth, Ms Green said while she was reluctant to criticise hard working council staff or councillors, the need was urgent.
“The complexity and sheer workload of decisions to be made and the inadequate number of councillors has led to some perceptions of failures of governance within the municipalities,” Ms Green said in her written submission.
A recent example of perceived failure was the proposed 18-month suspension of childcare services at the Whittlesea Community Activity Centre, subsequently overturned after community outrage, and a decision taken without adequate involvement from councillors, Ms Green said.
With all current councillors living south of Findon’s Road, the existing structure had not delivered the intended diversity and community of interest, she said.
Ms Green said poor internet access in the more rural northern areas, as well as patchy Australia Post delivery, made it difficult to communicate with these residents.
“This puts an impossibly huge and unworkable load on the three councillors representing the north ward.”
She has asked the VEC to consider dividing the north ward into two, and giving it two councillors each.
The VEC is proposing to maintain the north ward at the current level of three councillors.
Bushfire-affected residents would benefit from extra council representation at a closer level, Ms Green said.
North Ward Councillor Pam McLeod has backed the call for four councillors in the north, telling the inquiry her ward covered a “vast” area with essentially two “communities of interest” based on the twin growth corridors.
The VEC has said it considers 11 councillors the most suitable number for the City of Whittlesea, up from the current nine. Its final report will be released on Wednesday, April 4.
