Voters will decide on Sydney Wards

A referendum will ask residents and businesses whether they want their 10 elected councillors to represent specific wards.

If passed, the system widely used by most other local councils, would not come into effect until 2012.

The referendum is expected to cost $60,000.

Before South Sydney And Sydney City councils merged in 2003, Sydney Council did not have wards because of its small size, contrasting South Sydney, who had a long tradition of wards.

Labor lord mayoral candidate Meredith Burgman said that without wards, individual councillors were not directly responsible to any particular area. "Wards are important as they make councillors responsible to the community in a way that allows people to know there is a particular councillor looking out for their interests," Ms Burgman said.

"The current system does not allow that." Labor councillor and former South Sydney mayor Tony Pooley said without wards, some areas were not being heard.

"Part of the problem we've got is the nature of the 'council at large' means there are no councillors further south than the three who live in

Redfern," Cr Pooley said. "I think their voice is less well heard."

Liberal councillor Shayne Mallard argued that wards would be beneficial to the council and local community.

He accused Lord Mayor Clover Moore of initially supporting wards but later changing that position in the belief her independent team had a better chance of being elected under the current system.

"I note that Lord Mayor made submissions supporting wards in the first instance but has cooled since then," Cr Mallard said.

"It's cynical of Clover not to want wards, but after realising she would get less councillors elected she has changed her tone."

Cr Moore refuted the claims. "I believe that having wards would not make a difference to our team's chances in September, as our candidates are drawn from across the city and our diverse communities," she said.

"Candidates, parties and groups will only benefit according to their level of support within the community could not be reached for comment."

Ms Burgman said the Greens would be big winners under the wards system, getting possibly three councillors elected.

Greens candidate Irene Doutney said her party was in favour of wards but wanted more details on boundaries and how they would be chosen.