By Mara Pattison-Sowden
CHANDLER Ward could be set to grow with a proposed change to Yarra Ranges’ ward boundaries before the next council election.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has proposed adding 523 electors from part of Mount Evelyn into the ward, which currently covers Seville, Wandin, Silvan, Monbulk, Kalorama and Macclesfield.
The proposed change has occurred because of the growth in the urban areas, and will divide the suburb of Mount Evelyn to ensure the number of voters represented by each councillor is balanced.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Graham Warren said the Chandler Ward had fallen below the guidelines, but it was always going to be difficult to keep the area’s average.
“We’re a big area with small pockets of growth,” he said.
“It was always going to be a challenge and the other side of the hill isn’t overabundant (with electors).”
The VEC report released last week proposed to transfer the semi-rural area between Monbulk and Clegg roads Chandler Ward.
Electoral Commissioner Steve Tully said the ward boundaries would be re-drawn so that the “one vote, one value” principle can apply at the next election.
That means each ward has to have an even number of voters, and the VEC has to ensure that the number of voters represented by each councillor doesn’t vary more than 10 per cent higher or lower than the average.
The VEC’s Proposed Ward Boundaries Report contains details of the proposed changes and information on how to make a submission.
It is available from www.vec.vic.gov.au, by calling 131 832 or from the Yarra Ranges Shire offices at 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale.
Submissions must be made in writing before 5pm on Wednesday 7 March.
If the changes are accepted, they will come into effect for the council elections on Saturday 27 October.
