Wyndham has smashed the state’s record for the highest number of candidates to contest a local government election.
When nominations closed at noon on Tuesday, 95 people had thrown their hats in the ring for one of 11 spots on the new council.
The previous record was held by Casey council, with 85 nominating in the 2012 elections.
Harrison ward has also broken the state record for the highest number of candidates nominating for a single ward, with 41 officially announcing their candidacy. Melton’s Coburn ward previously held the title through its 2012 election with 30 candidates.
Voters in Iramoo ward will choose from 19 candidates next month, while those casting their vote in Chaffey ward will choose from 35.
Of the Wyndham candidates, 33 are female.
Three sitting councillors – Peter Gibbons, Glenn Goodfellow and Bob Fairclough – are bowing out at the end of this term.
Council chief executive Kelly Grigsby said it was important that all candidates were clear about their interests and understood why they were running.
“It needs to be about making a difference in the community – that’s what the role of a councillor is,” she said. “Make sure that’s what your motivation is.”
She said the council had run extensive candidate information sessions to ensure all candidates were aware of expectations.
“We didn’t rely on the minimum provided through the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Victorian Electoral Commission – we also ran our own through the Victorian Local Government Association, to make sure people were understanding what the role of a councillor is,” she said. “We are committed to getting this right.”
In response to allegations in The Age that sitting councillor Intaj Khan had failed to declare at least 25 corporate and property interests, Ms Grigsby said it was important all candidates were aware of councillor obligations.
With a number of real estate agents announcing candidacies, Ms Grigsby said it was important they took on the role of councillor with their “eyes wide open and clear about where conflicts will exist”.
“The reality is, you will have to declare it,” she said.
“Where roads are being built or even capital works funding – they’re things you could have an interest in … take yourself out of the chamber.”
She said the council’s role in declaring interests and conflicts was managing the paperwork. The onus was on individual councillors to declare interests and the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate to regulate.
Ballot packs will be distributed in the post between October 4 and 6. Papers must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Victorian Electoral Commission by 6pm on October 21.
