00:00The heart of local democracy in Woollahra enjoys harbour views, but the politics of
00:07the council in Sydney's eastern suburbs are not so sunny.
00:11This is definitely a gerrymander for liberal control of Woollahra Council.
00:16It's also an affront on democracy.
00:18In tandem with Saturday's local government elections, the council is holding a referendum
00:23on reducing the number of councillors from 15 to 9.
00:26The Liberal Party, which has an eight-seat majority, is prosecuting the yes case.
00:30The reality is too many chefs in the kitchen applies to council as much as it does to corporations.
00:37The change would take effect in 2028, with the council's five wards likely to merge into three.
00:43I think it will entrench the Liberal majority and I think it will make it a really lonely
00:47place for independents or any Greens that are left.
00:51It's estimated to save ratepayers $200,000 a year.
00:55We believe that money should be back in the pockets of voters.
00:58You can't put a cost on democracy.
01:01Five local government areas will vote on reducing councillors.
01:05Other councils will hold referenda on abolishing wards and having the mayor elected by residents
01:10instead of councillors.
01:11Here at a pre-polling place in Woollahra, few residents are aware of the referendum
01:16until they arrive to vote.
01:18The number of wards we have in Woollahra is ideal because the different wards are very disparate.
01:25The referendum result is binding.
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