City of Rockingham considers change to council ward boundaries

City of Rockingham is proposing possible changes to its council ward boundaries and is inviting public comment.

The last review of ward boundaries and councillor representation in the City was completed in December 2012.

The City is now holding another review and is seeking submissions from the community.

A discussion paper has been developed to assist residents in considering options and ideas, as well as clarifying factors that will form part of the review.

It outlines six options and provides an overview of each scenario assessed against community interest, physical and topographic features, demographic trends, economic factors and ratio of councillors to electors in various wards.

In February 2017 the council agreed to the review after the 2017 ordinary local government elections with an objective of implementing changes prior to the 2019 ordinary local government elections. At last month’s council meeting it unanimously adopted the review.

The City’s council comprises 10 councillors from four wards — Rockingham, Safety Bay (three councillors each), Baldivis and Comet Bay (two councillors each). Elector numbers after the October election showed Baldivis had a ratio of one councillor for every 9342 electors and Comet Bay one councillor for every 8966 electors. The ratios for Rockingham and Safety Bay were one councillor for every 7048 and 6840 electors respectively.

The six options for change are based on population forecasts for 2025 and 2027. The first four options propose 10 councillors across various wards; option 1: 10 councillors and no wards; option 2: 10 councillors and two wards (an East ward of four councillors and West ward of six councillors); option 3: 10 councillors and three wards (a North ward of four councillors and East and South wards of three councillors each) and option 4: 10 councillors across four wards (three councillors in Safety Bay ward, two each for Rockingham and Comet Bay ward, and three for Baldivis ward). Option 5 proposes 11 councillors across four wards (two for Rockingham and three each for Safety Bay, Comet Bay and Baldivis) and option 6, nine councillors across three wards (three councillors each for an East, North and South ward).

The discussion paper is available from rockingham.wa.gov.au and copies can be inspected at the City administration building and libraries during office hours.

You can share your thoughts online via Rock Port, via email to customer@rockingham.wa. gov.au or mail to Chief Executive Officer, City of Rockingham, PO Box 2142, Rockingham DC 6967.

Submissions close 4pm, on Friday, September 21. Contact 9528 0333 or customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au.