The state government has reminded Councils that now is the time to consider their best structure going forward.

Under section 16 of the Local Government Act 1993, a council must obtain the approval of its electors at a constitutional referendum to do each of the following:

• divide a council area into wards or abolish wards
• change the number of councillors
• change the method of electing the mayor
• change the method of election for councillors where the council’s area is divided into wards.