Representation Review

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This consultation is now closed

The Representation Review was undertaken in a number of stages. View the News Tab below for further information on each stage of the consultation process and outcome.

Since March 2012, Council has been conducting a review of its electoral structure including how members are elected and whether or not the council is divided into wards. The purpose of the review is to ensure that the composition of elected members provides the most beneficial structure for representation of our community.

Project Information

  • Read through the documents in the 'Related Documents' section on the right-hand side for background information on this project.
  • View the 'FAQs' section on the right-hand side for commonly asked questions about this project.

The Representation Review was undertaken in a number of stages. View the News Tab below for further information on each stage of the consultation process and outcome.

Since March 2012, Council has been conducting a review of its electoral structure including how members are elected and whether or not the council is divided into wards. The purpose of the review is to ensure that the composition of elected members provides the most beneficial structure for representation of our community.

Project Information

  • Read through the documents in the 'Related Documents' section on the right-hand side for background information on this project.
  • View the 'FAQs' section on the right-hand side for commonly asked questions about this project.
This consultation is now closed
  • Stage 1 Consultation

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    Stage 1 consultation closed 17 August 2012
    We sought feedback on a number of options which were detailed in our Options Paper. Alternatively you can read the Summary Paper for an overview or to learn more. People were invited to read through the options and provide feedback by completing our online survey, provide a written submission or attend a community workshop.

    Stage 1 Outcome
    Thanks for all your feedback. Council received over 50 submissions regarding the options presented in the 'Options Paper' during the first stage of this project. Community feedback was presented to Council at its meeting on 28 August 2012 for consideration.

  • Stage 2 Consultation

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    Stage 2 consultation opened on Thursday 8 November 2012, and closes at 5pm Friday 30 November 2012.
    Using community feedback gathered in Stage 1, a 'preferred option' was developed and we sought further feedback and comments. Read through the consultation pack for a quick project overview and the Draft Representation Review Report for more detailed information about the proposed new Representation Structure.

    All submissions will be acknowledged in writing so that you know your comments/feedback has been received, and will include an invitation to appear before a meeting of the Council to be heard in support of your submission. Your feedback will be used to inform Council’s Final Representation Review Report, which will contain the endorsed model for the Electoral Commissioner’s certification.

    Outcome of Stage 2
    A detailed report was provided to council regarding the outcomes of stage 2 consultation. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in or taken the time to provide feedback regarding this important project.
  • Stage 3 - Proposed Representation Structure

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    Council were provided with the results of the Stage 2 consultation on 11 December 2012, and endorsed a 'final option'. In line with legislation, this option was provided to the Electoral Commission to conduct the certification process.

    On the 27 January 2013 Council endorsed its proposed Representation Structure for the 2014 election (and beyond).

    In July 2013, Council was notified that the Electoral Commissioner would not certify the proposed structure for reasons relating to over-representation, and as such, the Council needed to consider which option to pursue further.

    The matter of Council’s electoral structure is an important and complex one.  There has been much debate in the Council Chamber following the Electoral Commissioner’s decision (not to certify the proposed strucutre), in trying to determine which alternate structure would provide the best representation for the Adelaide City Council community.

    At its meeting of 13 August 2013, Council determined its preferred new model, which, once the report has been endorsed, will be the subject of further public consultation, with further options considered by Council included for the purpose of providing context to the proposed model.
    The new proposed model will be available for public consultation for a period of three weeks, from Thursday 29 August 2013 to 5pm Thursday 19 September 2013.

    Following the final stage of consultation, a report will be presented to Council on the outcomes of this consultation, and any person who provides a formal submission will be invited to attend Council and speak in support of their submission.

    Council will then make its final decision on the representation structure to be submitted to the Electoral Commissioner for certification.

  • Stage 4 Consultation

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    Consultation closed 20 September 2013
    Following the previous stages of this consultation process, Council is now seeking feedback on a new Proposed Model. Please read above for more information and use the feedback form or submission form to provide your comments and feedback.

    At its meeting on 13 August 2013, Council determined its new preferred model/proposal and sought a final round of community feedback. Read the stage 4 consultation pack for a project summary. Council carefully considered community feedback (clear disagreement with the proposed model - see News tab below) and has endorsed an alternative model with the Electoral commission - New Council Endorsed Representation Structure.

    Your feedback will be used to inform Council’s Final Representation Review Report, which will contain the endorsed model for the Electoral Commissioner’s certification.

    Stage 4 Outcome
    Following community consultation (stage 4) on the new proposed representation model, Council received a report on the results and also heard a large number of community members speak in support of their submissions at its meeting on 24 September 2013.

    Due to the clear community disagreement with the proposed model, at its meeting on 1 October 2013, Council endorsed the Final Representation Review Report, and a representation model comprising:

    • 3 wards, with slight adjustments to current ward boundaries;
    • The Lord Mayor elected by electors for the Council area at large;
    • 4 Area Councillors elected by electors for the Council area at large (a reduction of one from current Area Councillor representation);
    • 7 Ward Councillors elected by electors for each ward, being 2 Councillors for both the North and South Wards, and 3 Councillors for the Central Ward (an increase of one from current Central Ward Councillor representation).

    For more detailed information, please read Council's Final Endorsed Representation Structure.

    The results of the consultation process, and the endorsed structure were forwarded to the Electoral Commission of South Australia for review and certification on 5 October 2013.

    Certification is yet to be received from the Electoral Commission, however it is expected the endorsed structure will meet all requirements and be certified shortly, to enable it to be in place for the November 2014 elections.

    Council would like to take this opportunity to everyone who participated for their valued contribution to this consultation.

  • Now Certified

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    On the 5 October, Council forwarded the 'New Council Endorsed Representation Structure' to the Electoral Commission for final certification.

    The CEO has now received notification from Kay Mousley, Electoral Commissioner of South Australia, that Council’s Representation Review has been certified.

    Council is currently liaising with the Land Services Group to obtain appropriate maps and descriptions of ward boundaries for publishing in the Gazette (legal requirement). The Electoral Commissioner has indicated the Gazette notice will need to be placed by 12 December 2013 to enable the Council composition of:

    • Lord Mayor elected by electors at large;
    • 4 Area Councillors elected by electors at large; and
    • 7 Ward Councillors elected by electors of 3 wards

    to take effect at the November 2014 elections.

    Thank you to everyone who followed this process or provided comments/feedback to help Council finalise a new representation structure.