Wollongong and Shellharbour Elections

So, true to his word, Barry O'Farrell has submitted the legislation that will be required to bring forward the election of Councillors for the Wollongong and Shellharbour Local Government Areas.

However there are a number of changes coming to both Councils.

First up, because the elections are going to be brought forward a year, elections for both Councils in 2012 have been cancelled. This means that Councillors will have a 5 year term to bring both Councils back into line with the rest of the state.

Secondly the Premier has decreed a number of changes to the way both Councils select and elect their Councillors.

• In Wollongong, the number of Councillors is going to remain the same, however the number of wards is going to be reduced from 6 to 3. This means that each ward will be represented by 4 Councillors. The mayor is going to remain popularly elected.
• In Shellharbour wards are going to be done away with altogether and the number of Councillors is going to be reduced from 13 to 7, the argument being that the population doesn't warrant the larger number of Councillors and a more slim lined Council should be able to avoid the issues that plagued the last elected Council.

While there isn't an official change to the way voting is going to occur, the reduction/elimination of wards is going to introduce a defacto proportional voting system. This should open things up a little so that the two big parties don't lock everything up.

Oh and we also have a date for the election. September 3rd. That's the first Saturday in September, so if you're thinking about running for Wollongong or Shellharbour Council, you'd better get started soon, there's only 4 months to go.