Bega Valley residents will get to decide whether they want a popularly elected mayor or a mayor chosen by councillors, at a special referendum in September.
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The constitutional referendum will be held at the same time as the council elections on Saturday, September 4. The question at a council poll or constitutional referendum is carried if it is supported by a majority of the votes cast. The mayor Russell Fitzpatrick had told the meeting that a 70 per cent majority was needed but said he would be correcting his comments at the next meeting.
If residents want a popularly elected mayor they will have the opportunity to vote for someone at the following council election in 2024.
The issue was raised at the council meeting on January 27 with a motion proposed by Cr Robyn Bain. It is the fifth time the matter has been discussed by council since 2014 when Cr Liz Seckold raised it. Since then it was raised by Cr Bain in 2016 and then twice in 2019 by Crs Tony Allen and Mitchell Nadin.
With six councillors at the meeting (Cr Allen was absent) the vote was split evenly with Crs Jo Dodds, Cathy Griff and Seckold voting against holding a referendum and Crs Bain, Nadin and Fitzpatrick voting to have a referendum. Cr Fitzpatrick, as mayor, used his casting vote which means the referendum will go ahead in September.
Speaking to her motion, Cr Bain said people had the right to choose what path they want to go down.
"A 'yes' or a 'no' - do you want a popularly elected mayor. Rather than having a debate between the councillors let's put it to the community. The point of the resolution is to let the ratepayers of this shire have their say about it," Cr Bain said.
But Cr Griff said councillors needed to pick someone they could work with as part of a team.
"I'm not aware of anyone in the community jumping up and down about this. People will often vote for someone whose name they know. Only a third of councils vote this way, it is fraught and unnecessary and there's an enormous amount we can be doing with those funds," Cr Griff said.
The council election is anticipated to cost about $350,000 with a further 10 per cent increase ($35,000) for the referendum. This would be an additional expense item for the 2022 budget, council staff said.
"The only time to do it is at an election because it is the cheapest time to do it," Cr Fitzpatrick said.
Councils are responsible for the preparation and publicity of the required explanatory material for any referendum or poll. Councils must ensure this material presents a balanced case both for and against any proposition to be put to a constitutional referendum.
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