As well as deciding which councillors they want to represent them, the Cabonne ratepayers will also be asked how many they want to represent them.

A referendum will be put in September asking residents of this shire if they wish to reduce the number of counsellors from twelve to nine and if they support the removal of the ward system.

Reducing councillor numbers could save the shire and excess of $100,000, Mayor John Farr said.

“It could save $100,000 over a four year term easily,” Cr Farr said.

“Councillors are modestly remunerated and there are also travel and meal allowances.”

Eliminating the ward system would also create local government for the whole of the shire and not split councillors along ward lines.

“ Cabonne as a shire was created in 1977 but you still have Canowindra looking after Canowindra and Molong looking after Molong and so on,” Cr Farr said.

During the meeting concerns were raised as to the ability of smaller villages to gain representation when it was possible larger centers would dominate the council but Cr Farr said he hoped removing wards and reducing numbers would reduce the number of “ one issue” candidates and lead to a higher quality of representation.

The Cabonne Council local government area is currently divided into six wards with two councillors in each.