5/12/00
Local Government Minister Paul Omodei has approved changes to ward boundaries in Busselton, Denmark and Subiaco, and to the number of councillors in Collie.
All changes were recommended by the Local Government Advisory Board after being proposed by the local governments concerned.
The Busselton change involves only a small adjustment between the Central Rural Ward and the Central Urban Ward, involving 150 electors.
Mr Omodei said the board had recommended the change as an interim measure for the 2001 local government elections, but expected a major proposal to reduce the number of councillors and address the imbalances in councillor/elector ratios before the 2003 elections.
The Collie Shire Council, which has no wards, will reduce its number of councillors from 13 to 11.
The Shire of Denmark proposed only a minor adjustment between the Kent and Nornalup wards, but suggested that another review be held in four years when proposed developments in various parts of the shire would make this necessary.
Population growth, particularly in the new SubiCentro, prompted the Subiaco City Council to seek adjustments to its North, East, Central and South Wards to give a balanced ratio of councillors and electors in each ward.
Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9213 6700
