A referendum will ask residents and businesses whether they
want their 10 elected councillors to represent specific wards.
If passed, the system widely used by most other local
councils, would not come into effect until 2012.
The referendum is expected to cost $60,000.
Before South Sydney And Sydney City councils merged in 2003,
Sydney Council did not have wards because of its small size, contrasting South Sydney, who had a long tradition of wards.
Labor lord mayoral candidate Meredith Burgman said that without
wards, individual councillors were not directly responsible to any particular
area. “Wards are important as they make councillors responsible to the
community in a way that allows people to know there is a particular councillor
looking out for their interests,” Ms Burgman said.
“The current system does not allow that.” Labor
councillor and former South Sydney mayor Tony Pooley said without wards, some areas were not
being heard.
“Part of the problem we’ve got is the nature of the
‘council at large’ means there are no councillors further south than the three
who live in
Redfern,” Cr Pooley said. “I think their voice is
less well heard.”
Liberal councillor Shayne Mallard
argued that wards would be beneficial to the council and local community.
He accused Lord Mayor Clover Moore of initially supporting
wards but later changing that position in the belief her independent team had a
better chance of being elected under the current system.
“I note that Lord Mayor made submissions supporting
wards in the first instance but has cooled since then,” Cr Mallard said.
“It’s cynical of Clover not to want wards, but after
realising she would get less councillors elected she has changed her
tone.”
Cr Moore refuted the claims. “I believe that having
wards would not make a difference to our team’s chances in September, as our
candidates are drawn from across the city and our diverse communities,”
she said.
“Candidates, parties and groups will only benefit
according to their level of support within the community could not be reached
for comment.”
Ms Burgman said the Greens would be big winners under the
wards system, getting possibly three councillors elected.
Greens candidate Irene Doutney said her party was in favour
of wards but wanted more details on boundaries and how they would be chosen.
Source:
Central 16th July 2008.