The Local Government Electoral Review panel has recommended Corangamite’s councillors increase from seven to nine and has raised scrapping the current five-ward system.

At their meeting on Tuesday Corangamite Shire councillors voted to make a submission to the review supporting the current structure. 

“The thing that I would reject is the number of councillors,” Cr O’Connor said.

“The public don’t want to see more politicians. To say we should have more is ridiculous.”

Cr O’Connor said the current system worked well and an increase in councillors would prove costly.

“I assume it will cost an extra $100,000 for two extra councillors. It’s a waste of money.”

South central ward councillor Jo Beard agreed an increase to nine councillors would worsen Corangamite’s budget pressures, although she would welcome a review of ward boundaries.

“I hope the public speak up because we are relying on feedback for this,” she said.

South west ward councillor Neil Trotter said while the council was keen to keep the status quo, ratepayers might have a different view.

“It’s always good to do a bit of a review. It requires that we examine what we’re doing and this is an opportunity for the public to take part in the democratic process,” he said.

“We’re pretty comfortable with our decision but maybe the community may not be.”

Long-time north ward councillor Geoff Smith described the seven-member council as “ideal”.

“Under the ward system every area of the shire is represented,” he said.

The review into Corangamite and Warrnambool councils began on Wednesday. Preliminary submissions are now open and close on August 26.