The Coast’s referendum will feature in the next session for potential candidates considering standing in the September Council elections.
You can thank interim administrator Dick Persson and 613 residents for the referendum being held along with the councillor elections.
It was Persson who decided 15 councillors in five wards was never going to allow for a cohesive governing body.
In his April 2021 final report to the Local Government Minister he said he had approved a referendum to allow the Coast to vote on going from 15 councillors to 9.
“Approving this change will not guarantee improved outcomes and performances however I am confident it would make a positive difference,” Persson said.
Earlier in the year, Persson had asked Council staff to undertake community consultation on whether:
# to reduce the ward structure from 5 to 3;
# have no wards;
# or maintain the status quo with 15 councillors and 5 wards.
The report showed that 613 people did an online poll.
A total of 78 per cent of the 613 people said they wanted to reduce the number of councillors to nine.
Those 78 per cent, or 465 participants, were asked their preferences for ward structure.
The results were:
- 55% voted to abolish the wards,
- 45% voted to reduce Council to 3 wards.
In May 2021, Persson changed the wording to its current form and in August 2023, the current Administrator Rik Hart again accepted that wording for the referendum.
Basically, it asks residents if they want nine councillors across three wards.
To pass, the question would need to be supported by a majority of Central Coast electors.
Should it pass, the changes would take effect for the next local government election for the Central Coast.
The Coast was put under administration in October 2020 when it flagged financial issues and the September elections should see the return of democracy.
Council-under-administration’s information night is being held this coming Tuesday, April 9, at the Wyong chambers. Check out Council’s website for details.
