Coffs City Council considers wards enabling representation in small communities

A motion for those in the Coffs community living in isolated areas to have more of a voice has been put forward. See what it would mean for you.

Coffs Harbour City councillors have voted on the idea of wards for the region.

A motion was put before Coffs City Council to consider a ward system, allowing regional areas within the LGA to have their own elected council representation.

The motion was put forward by Councillor Rodger Pryce, who said communities in isolated areas feel “unrepresented” and a ward system would address it.

“Currently, the community could understandably, in some areas believe that they are not heard,” Cr Price said.

Cr Price said the western regions of the Coffs Coast haven’t been represented for years in council.

The motion suggested a report outlining the details and associated costs should be considered.

Coffs Harbour City councillors discuss the possibility of wards, enabling councillors to represent small regions within the Coffs Coast.

Cr Price suggested the ward system – which Ballina currently implements – would allow isolated communities to engage with their councillor on local issues to feel more represented.

He said wards could allow localised issues to be resolved with local community input, rather than having every topic tackled by councillors.

Coffs Harbour’s councillors all reside in Coffs Harbour or north.

With the Coffs Coast population rapidly heading toward 100,000 people, Cr Price believes giving each community a voice was important.

“Each zone has its own needs separate to the wider LGA,” he said.

Opposing the motion, Councillor Tony Judge said implementing the system might create a problem where one did not exist.

The Woolgoolga local said councillors should not be making decision based on a geographical basis.

“I’m a councillor for Coffs Harbour – not Woolgoolga. We signed that oath,” Mr Judge said.

He said the funds needed to establish the motion could be put toward more important needs.

Some councillors believe small communities in areas like Coramba (pictured) are suppressed.

Councillor Jonathan Cassell also opposed the motion, saying it “complicates democracy”.

“It divides our electorate instead of allowing us to work together across it,” Cr Cassell said.

He said councillors might become passionate about one corner of the community rather than view issues with a broader perspective.

Cr George Cecato and Cr Pryce were in favour the motion while all other councillors opposed it, thereby defeating it.