Surf Coast Shire and Golden Plains Shire candidates will battle it out for limited spots in October’s council elections.
Sixteen candidates have come forward for a spot in Surf Coast Shire Council’s three wards, with one ward lost following the state government’s electoral structure and ward boundary review.
The Winchelsea ward is guaranteed to see a new face join its ranks, with current councillor Heather Wellington stepping down from the role.
Current Winchelsea councillors Adrian Schonfelder and Rosemary Hodge will have competition for the ward’s three spots, with Aleisja Henry, Tony Phelps, Darryl William Wilson and Joel Grist also going for the role.
Six candidates are up for the Torquay ward’s three vacancies, with Rebecca Bourke, Martin Duke, Eric Menogue, and Phoebe Crockett batteling current councillor Paul Barker and mayor Liz Pattison for a place.
The Otway Range ward only has three candidates for the three available spots, with Leon Walker up against current councillors Libby Stapleton, Mike Bodsworth and Kate Gazzard.
Golden Plains Shire Council does not have wards and will have seven councillors selected out of a pool of 10 candidates, with councillors Clayton Whitfield, Les Rowe and Ian Getsom not contesting their roles.
Mayor Brett Cunningham, Gavin Gamble, Helena Kirby and Owen Sharkey will run against Des Phelan, Lachlan Glen, Sarah Hayden, Emma Robbins, John Crowe and Dom Cook for re-election on council.
Visit vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2024-local-council-elections for more information on local council candidates.
