The recent shift in local government structures in Victoria has sparked controversy and left many ratepayers feeling the financial pinch. With a simple change to "single member wards," the cost of filling a councillor vacancy has skyrocketed, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses for local communities.
The Price of Democracy?
In the past, when a councillor resigned or left their post early, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) could easily fill the vacancy with a "countback" of existing votes, costing a mere $1000. However, under the new system, where each ward is represented by a single councillor, a byelection is now required, with costs skyrocketing to between $130,000 and $180,000 per byelection.
But here's where it gets controversial: these byelections often see lower voter turnout than general elections, raising questions about their legitimacy and value. In Darebin, for example, voter participation dropped from 81.57% during the 2024 general election to 76.22% for the subsequent byelection.
The Financial Burden
The financial burden of these byelections falls squarely on the shoulders of local ratepayers, with some communities facing costs upwards of $183,537. Tanya Tescher, secretary of the Victorian Ratepayers and Residents Association, argues that this is "obviously not fair" and calls for a return to the previous system, highlighting the need for legislative reform.
In Whittlesea, an August byelection triggered by a vote-tampering scandal cost the community $183,537. City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd confirmed that the council bore the brunt of these costs, with an additional $39,292 recovered by the VEC to contest the initial election outcome.
The Human Cost
Councillor Nic Brooks, who resigned from his position in Whittlesea, spoke to The Age about the challenges of balancing his councillor duties with running a business. He expressed concern about the high cost of byelections, stating, "You don't want decisions that you make to have a negative impact on ratepayers." Brooks' resignation has triggered another imminent byelection, with the council expecting similar costs.
In Darebin, the death of veteran councillor Gaetano Greco last August resulted in a $131,327 byelection. Leadership at both Whittlesea and Darebin view these byelections as unforeseen events, arguing that they are an example of cost-shifting burdens from the state government that local councils must bear.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the financial implications, the shift to single-member wards has also led to decreased competition in some areas. Across Victoria, 47 candidates, including an entire councillor group, secured council seats without a single vote being cast due to a lack of opponents. This raises questions about the democratic process and the representation of diverse voices in local government.
The VEC attempts to minimize costs by scheduling byelections simultaneously, but the spokesman acknowledges that byelections remain more complex and involved than simple countbacks.
A Victorian government spokesperson defended the single-member ward system, stating that it makes councillors "more accountable to the communities they serve" and ensures councils are "more reflective of the communities they represent."
However, critics argue that the increased workload and financial burden on local communities outweigh these benefits. The push for single wards, first proposed in 2019, was shepherded through the Victorian parliament by Labor, with the support of the Victorian opposition, after Adem Somyurek was sacked from the ministry due to branch-stacking allegations.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the financial and democratic consequences of this shift in local government structures are far-reaching and deserve careful consideration.
What are your thoughts on this controversial change? Do the benefits of single-member wards outweigh the costs? Share your opinions in the comments below!
