| City of Boroondara | |
|---|---|
| Population | 174,787[1] |
| Established | 1994 |
| Area | 60km2[2] |
| Mayor | Jim Parke |
| Council seat | Camberwell Town Hall, Camberwell |
| Website | City of Boroondara |
The City of Boroondara is a local government covering parts of the inner and middle-ring suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria.
History
Boroondara was created on 22 June 1994 from an amalgamation of the Cities of Camberwell, Kew and Hawthorn as part of the Kennett Government's reforms.
Governance
Mayors
The mayor of Boroondara is the political leader of the council. They chair council meetings, represent Boroondara externally and act as the council's spokesperson. Mayors are elected annually from amongst the sitting councillors.[3]
The current mayor of Boroondara is Jim Parke.
Councillors
Ten councillors serve on Boroondara Council. Boroondara is one of only two councils in the state to be composed of an even number of councillors, the only other being the neighbouring City of Whitehorse. Councillors are elected every four years to represent one of ten wards across the city. They are responsible for the strategic direction of council, making decisions through the Urban Planning and Services Special Committees and representing the interests of the City.
Special committees
Special committees deal with specific issues delegated by the council. Boroondara has two special committees: the Urban Planning Special Committee (UPSC) and Services Special Committee (SSC). The former makes planning decisions and the latter deals with other matters related to the delivery of services by council. Both committees have full delegated authority and can make decisions on behalf of council. Some decisions are required to be approved at a full council meeting, but decisions are rarely overturned. All ten councillors are members of both special committees. UPSC meetings typically occur every fortnight and SSC meetings every month, but special meetings may be scheduled if deemed necessary.
Chairs of both special committees are determined on an annual basis at the same time as the mayoral election. They do not receive additional financial allowances.
Elections and voting
Elections for councils in Victoria are governed by the Local Government Act 1989, which stipulates that elections be held once every four years. Boroondara has held postal elections in previous elections, including at the most recent 2016 election.
Wards
Boroondara is subdivided into ten single-member wards. Each ward's name is based on a local landmark, a place or historical background.[3]
References
- ↑ 'Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional Population Growth, Australia (3218.0). Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id ' http://profile.id.com.au/boroondara/population-estimate; 30 June 2015; accessed: 20 June 2016
- ↑ .id http://profile.id.com.au/boroondara/about; 2011; accessed: 20 June 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 City of Boroondara. Councillors and wards. November 2016. https://boroondara.vic.gov.au/your_council/councillors-wards, accessed: 6 November 2016