Local Governments across Victoria are preparing for the upcoming October elections, with 2,223 candidates standing for a chance at representing their local community.
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Co-Ordinator of Research and Policy, Emlyn Breese, has compiled some statistics ahead of the elections:
- 42 wards have an equal number of candidates and vacancies
- 95 per cent of candidates have provided a vision for their municipality and their relevant expertise, as well as party affiliation
- 47 councillors will take office without a vote being cast
- More than 40 per cent of the Stand for Council registrants have gone on to nominate for council
Ms Breese also analysed what topics and issues candidates are saying they care about:
- 762 candidates mention “environment”
- 730 mention “parks”, “green space”, or “open space”
- 702 mention “development” (50 of whom said “inappropriate development”)
- 453 mention candidates mention “housing”
- 375 mention “governance”
- 294 mention “kindergarten”, “kinder”, “early years” or “childcare”
- 282 mention “cost of living”
- 274 mention “climate”
- 150 mention “aged care” or “ageing”
- 76 mention “maternal health”, “maternal child health”, or “maternal and child”
- 201 mention used each of the words “roads”, “rates”, and “rubbish”
Ahead of the elections, MAV has also launched its MAV Active Citizen Guide, the sister document to its MAV Citizen to Councillor Guide.
This guide aims to inspire productive participation in local government elections, encouraging both candidates and citizens to engage.
It covers essential topics such as council operations, electoral structures, the qualities of successful councillors, and ways to connect with candidates, volunteer for campaigns, influence their platforms, and actively engage in the community.
The guide is available on MAV’s website here.
