Dubbo Regional Council holding ward referendum on election day

The ward system was introduced when Dubbo and Wellington councils were amalgamated in 2016. It was the government's way of ensuring representation from across the new local government area.

At the 2017, the wards were not well received by the public. Residents were unhappy with the confusing names and not being able to vote for candidates outside their area.

Residents were also unhappy that council candidates could choose to stand in any of the wards, not just in the area they lived.

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Council took the concerns to the NSW government to split the LGA into two wards - one for Dubbo and one for Wellington. However, it was not permitted. Under the laws, the wards must be equal population sizes.

In September it was decided to take the issue to a referendum.

It was not a unanimous decision with some of the Wellington councillors concerned it would lead to the town losing ts representation on council.

This is what you will be asked when you vote: 'Currently Dubbo Regional Council is divided into five wards that elect 10 councillors in total; do you favour abolishing this ward system in favour of a single area consisting of all voters that elects 11 councillors?'.

If the majority of residents in the Dubbo local government area vote 'yes', the wards will not be in place at the next local government elections.