Pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2008 Section 23, the Roper Gulf Regional Council is undertaking a review of the electoral current representation arrangements in place and, in particular, whether they provide the most effective possible representation for the Council area. The review must be undertaken in order to have any proposed amendments put into effect before the 2021 Local Government elections.
Notice is hereby given that Council has prepared a Discussion Paper which examines the advantages and disadvantaged of the various options available in regards to the composition and structure of Council, and the division of the Council area into wards. Copies of the papers are available for viewing and comment in all Roper Gulf Regional Council Service Delivery Centers.
Interested persons are invited to make a written submission to the Executive Manager, Naomi Hunter at, PO BOX 1321, Katherine NT 0850 by close of business on 30 July 2020 Any submissions should specifically address the following issues:
- Whether the principal member of Council should have the title of Mayor or President, and whether the principal member should be elected by the voters or appointed by Council;
- The number of elected members (excluding the principal member) required to adequately and fairly represent the electors of the Council and perform the roles and responsibilities of Council;
- The title of the Elected Members (excluding the principal member) be Councillors or Aldermen;
- Whether the Council area should continue to be divided into wards, or alternatively whether wards should be abolished (i.e the elected members represent the whole of the Council area and are elected at “Council-wide” elections);
- If the Council area is to be divided into wards, what is the favoured future ward structure (in terms of configuration, number of wards and level of representation in each of the proposed wards);
- The name/identification of any proposed future wards;
- Whether there should be changes to the existing name and/or boundaries of Council.
Further information regarding the electoral review can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Chief Executive Officer on (08) 8972 9008
Phillip LUCK, Chief Executive Officer