VOTERS have until Wednesday next week (7 August) to make sure they are enrolled to vote in elections for Mornington Peninsula Shire Council in October. Eligible voters include those already enrolled with the state (Australian citizens aged over 18) and ratepayers who are property owners, occupiers or corporations.
The Saturday 26 October council elections will be the first since the shire was split into 11 single-councillor wards: Beek Beek, Benbenjie, Briars, Brokil, Coolart, Kackeraboite, Moorooduc, Nepean, Tanti, Tootgarook and Warringine.
The new wards replace Briars Ward, which now has three councillors, Cerberus (one councillors), Nepean (two councillors), Red Hill (one councillor), Seawinds (three councillors) and Watson (one councillor).
“If you’re 18 or over and you live in or pay rates to a Victorian council, enrol and have your say on the future of your local council,” Electoral Commissioner, Sven Bluemmel, said. Australian citizens who have recently turned 18 or changed address can enrol or update their details online at vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment
“Anyone on the state electoral roll is automatically enrolled for their current address for these elections. There are also additional council enrolment categories for non-resident owners, occupiers, company nominees and non-Australian citizens who pay rates,” Bluemmel said. “The rules for council enrolment have changed. Property owners who don’t live in the council area but may be eligible to vote because they pay rates should contact their local council for further information.”
The October local council elections will be the state’s largest single election program, with a predicted 4.7 million voters participating in 465 individual elections across 78 councils.
Elected in the 2020 Mornington Peninsula Shire elections were Steve Holland, Despi O’Connor and Anthony Marsh (Briars Ward); Lisa Dixon (Cerberus); Sarah Race and Hugh Fraser (Nepean); David Gill (Red Hill); Antonella Celi, Debra Mar and Kerri McCafferty (Seawinds); Paul Mercurio (Watson).
However, three councillors resigned from council before their four-year terms had finished. Cr Hugh Fraser resigned in March 2021, to be replaced in Nepean Ward by Susan Bissinger after a countback of votes. In December 2022 Cr Kerrie McCafferty (Seawinds) resigned and was replaced after a countback of votes by the now mayor, Cr Simon Brooks. Paul Mercurio was elected as the Labor MP for Hastings in the 2022 state elections and was replaced in Watson Ward in April 2023 by Kate Roper.
Shire CEO John Baker says that being a councillor “is a great way to serve our community and positively influence the future of this very special part of the world”.
In a statement on the shire’s website, Baker says being a councillor can be “challenging and requires a high degree of commitment, dedication and stamina but it can be a deeply rewarding role”. “It requires you to work with all sectors of our community, as well as shire staff, to understand complex issues and determine the best way forward.
“Our community is changing and it’s important council reflects all aspects of this diversity. We need councillors from a range of backgrounds so that each can bring their unique perspective, knowledge and experience to the table.”
The shire provides information for candidates at: election.information@mornpen.vic.gov.au
For more information on enrolment for the council elections call 131 832 or visit vec.vic.gov.au, where voters can also sign up to the free VoterAlert service to receive election reminders by SMS and email.
First published in the Mornington News – 30 July 2024
