Time to consider standing for Council

Published on 21 May 2024

Gannawarra Shire Council residents passionate about the municipality, leadership and creating a positive future for the area are encouraged to consider nominating for Council.

Local government elections will be held throughout Victoria during October, with Australian citizens aged at least 18 years of age or older as of 26 October 2024 and a registered voter in the Gannawarra Shire eligible to stand for election.

“The 2024 Gannawarra Shire Council elections will be a special time for the municipality, with it being the first time that we will be operating under an unsubdivided structure, meaning that eligible enrolled voters will be voting for elected representatives from across the municipality,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“Residents who are successfully elected will help drive the Gannawarra’s strategic direction during the next four years, with the development of a new Council Plan 2025-2029 one of the first tasks that will need to be completed.

“This strategic document will outline how we continue to make the Gannawarra a great place to live and work, with many exciting opportunities to occur in the coming years, thanks to significant investment in renewable energy and agriculture, as well as the Gannawarra’s growing recognition as Victoria’s nature based tourism destination.”

To assist residents considering standing for election, Council has set up a dedicated election page on its website. Located at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/election, this page includes key links, including access to mandatory Local Government Candidate Training that potential candidates must complete before formally nominating as a candidate.

This page also features resources from the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) as part of its Stand for Council campaign, and materials from the Victorian Local Governance Association’s Local Women Leading Change campaign.

Gannawarra Shire Council will also be a part of the MAV’s Stand for Council candidate information session, occurring at the Swan Hill Town Hall on Wednesday, 7 August from 6.30pm. Registrations are required for this session, which can be done by clicking on the “Municipal Association of Victoria Stand for Council sessions” heading at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/election

“This session will enable those considering standing for election the chance to learn about the role councils play in our communities, the responsibility of a Councillor, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council Chief Executive Officer, the election process, and what newly-elected councillors can expect soon after results are confirmed,” Mr Rollinson said.

The Victorian Electoral Commission will oversee the election process, with details regarding nomination deadlines and the distribution of ballot papers to be announced at a later date.