Mystery surrounding outcome of council restructure

By Murray Silby

Aug 31, 2023

**Waiting game:** Greater Shepparton City Council is waiting to find out what form it will take after the Victorian Government finalises its restructure.

It’s unclear when the Victorian Government will announce the names and boundaries for new wards in the City of Greater Shepparton.

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A final report, including proposed ward names and their boundaries, was handed to Local Government Minister Melissa Horne by an advisory panel on Wednesday, August 30.

“The recommendations of the advisory panel are being reviewed by the minister in line with the review process,” a government spokesperson said.

But Ms Horne’s department would not release what was in that report or declare when the minister would announce the outcome of the electoral restructure process.

The City of Greater Shepparton is among 39 council areas across Victoria requiring restructure to meet changes under the Local Government Act before council elections are held in October 2024.

Under those changes, Greater Shepparton must change from its “unsubdivided” structure of nine councillors without wards to a structure of single councillors representing between five and 12 wards.

Former councillors and mayors, and the council itself, have criticised the requirement.

They say it will make it more difficult for minority candidates to be elected and foster rivalries among councillors and areas within the municipality.