Coorow Shire president asks locals to support call for seven councillors as survey on reform is released

The president of the Shire of Coorow has recommended residents support an option to keep as many councillors as possible as the Shire asks ratepayers how it should respond to the State Government’s local government reforms. The Shire of Coorow released a survey last week asking residents for their thoughts on how many councillors the local government should have. The survey comes after the Government announced in September that small local governments such as Coorow would have to reduce the number of councillors. Local governments do have the option to review their system of representation and voluntarily implement reforms, which Coorow has chosen to do. Coorow has eight councillors, and while the State Government recommends smaller local governments cut down to five representatives, there is the option to drop by only one to seven councillors. Shire president Moira Girando said the council’s preference was to retain seven councillors, but it would consider the thoughts of the community. “Our considered opinion is that we should retain seven, because it’s a rural community and people are busy so they can’t always attend,” she said. “We want people to be well represented and we feel seven is the optimal number, obviously we can’t tell people how to vote but we hope they do.” The survey asks ratepayers if they would prefer five, six or seven councillors. If they do prefer five councillors there are two options for how the elected positions will be reduced. The consultation period closes at 4pm on January 13, with the Shire to make its decision at a council meeting on February 8.