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Stand for Council

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Overview

Local democracy hinges on the need for councils to represent the diverse needs and aspirations of our local communities.

This year’s council elections are an opportunity for Victorians to elect the candidates who they think best represent, at the local level, their vision and interests for a better, stronger and more sustainable future.

In partnership with Victorian councils, the MAV is delivering a number of information sessions for the community and prospective candidates. These sessions can be attended either in-person or online.

By attending one of these sessions, participants will be provided with information about:

  • Local government and the important role councils play for our local communities
  • The role and responsibility of a Councillor, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and CEO
  • The election process and candidate requirements
  • What newly elected councillors can expect soon after the elections
  • Councillor training and development opportunities.

The sessions will be held at various metropolitan and non-metropolitan locations across Victoria, with interested participants able to register to attend more than one session, including outside of their municipality.

To support and encourage a range of diverse candidates the MAV will also be hosting a number of additional sessions for women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disabilities, youth, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+ communities.

Please note: These sessions are not the Local Government Compulsory Candidate Training. For more information about this please visit the Local Government Victoria Website.

Community and Candidate Information sessions

Visit the MAV Regions map (PDF - 186KB) to find out what region your municipality is in.

Metropolitan Sessions

  • Thursday 9 May: Metropolitan East Session – Host: Yarra Ranges Council
  • Wednesday 29 May: Metropolitan South Session – Host: Casey City Council
  • Wednesday 5 June: Metropolitan West Session – Host: Wyndham City Council
  • Thursday 18 July: Metropolitan North Session - Host: Hume City Council
  • Wednesday 31 July: Inner Metropolitan South East Session – Host: Port Phillip City Council.

Non-Metropolitan Sessions

  • Wednesday 15 May: Loddon Campaspe Mallee - Host: Macedon Ranges Shire Council
  • Wednesday 12 June: Goulburn Ovens Murray Session 1 – Host: Mitchell Shire Council
  • Thursday 13 June: Goulburn Ovens Murray Session 2 – Host: Wangaratta Rural City Council
  • Thursday 27 June: Great South Coast Barwon Session 1 – Host: Warrnambool City Council
  • Wednesday 17 July: Loddon Campaspe Mallee Session 1 – Host: Greater Bendigo City Council
  • Wednesday 24 July: Gippsland Session 1 – Host: East Gippsland Shire Council
  • Thursday 25 July: Gippsland Session 2 – Host: South Gippsland Shire Council
  • Wednesday 7 August: Loddon Campaspe Mallee Session 2 – Host: Swan Hill Rural City Council
  • Thursday 8 August: Wimmera Southern Mallee Session 1 – Host: City of Ballarat
  • Wednesday 14 August: Wimmera Southern Mallee Session 2 – Host: Hindmarsh Shire Council
  • Wednesday 28 August: Great South Coast Barwon Session 2 – Host: Greater Geelong City Council.

Additional Sessions

  • Tuesday 21 May: Youth X Stand for Council - Host: Municipal Association of Vicotria (Online only)
  • Thursday 30 May: First Nations X Stand for Council – Host: Greater Shepparton City Council
  • Wednesday 26 June: Women X Stand for Council – Host: Kingston City Council

Click here to register

Council elections

Local government, as the tier of government closest to the community, is where democracy starts.

In Victoria, 79 municipalities represent more than six million people. Each Victorian municipality is unique with populations varying from 4,000 to almost 400,000 people.

And local leadership is vital to support the wellbeing of local communities.

Committed, motivated and passionate people that reflect the diversity of our communities will be encouraged to stand for council this year.

Every election, the MAV - as Victoria’s peak body for local government - supports the election process.

Working closely with the VEC, we will provide resources to better understand the purpose of local government, what is expected of a councillor and the processes for getting elected.

Why Stand?

Retiring councillors tell us about their experience as a councillor.

Cr Claudia Nguyen

Cr Rohan Leppert

Cr Rob Gersch

Additional resources

More information

For more information, please contact Stand for Council at standforcouncil@mav.asn.au.