Thinking of running as a candidate? Understand what this exciting decision involves.
Councillor responsibilities
As a councillor, you will make important decisions on behalf of the community, including:
- providing leadership and good governance to the community;
- developing and maintaining community infrastructure like roads, drains, footpaths, building, recreation facilities and parks and gardens;
- managing budgets;
- planning for the future growth and development of the whole municipality;
- contributing to policy and programs that impact the community;
- provide a diverse range of property, economic, human, recreational and cultural services; and
- reinforcing state and local laws relating to environmental protection, public health, traffic and parking and animal management.
The Victorian Government have built a comprehensive guide about local councils and how they work.
Join an information session
What to expect
As a councillor, you will perform a diverse range of tasks. Council meetings are held approximately every 3 weeks on a Monday, with councillor briefing sessions held every other Monday. We have multiple advisory committees that councillors can elect to be part of.
The part-time role of a councillor is often undertaken while juggling family, community and paid work responsibilities: it will be up to you to determine how much time you spend on Council matters.
Support
A comprehensive induction for all councillors is undertaken at the start of each term, and continued training opportunities are offered throughout the entire term.
At the beginning of an elected term, all councillors are offered equipment to undertake their new roles, including a computer and mobile phone.
Financial allowances are provided within limits set by the Victorian Government, and include travel allowance for Council-related meetings and childcare.
Effective 1 December 2019
- Councillor $31,444
- Mayoral $100,434
Becoming a candidate
A candidate must be an Australian citizen (or qualified British subject) and enrolled as a voter in Banyule to become a candidate.
Open: 17 September 2020
Close: 12 noon on 22 September 2020
Nominate as a candidate before 12-noon on 22 September 2020 by:
- completing and lodging the VEC nomination form (VEC have not published the 2020 forms) and
- paying the prescribed fee.
A person is not a candidate until they officially nominate and their nomination has been validated by the VEC and therefore should not refer to oneself as a candidate until such time.
Prospective Candidate Booklet(PDF, 5MB)
Campaigning
A candidate must decide what initiatives and strategies they will use to persuade voters to support them, including door knocking, advertising, social media, letterboxing and radio.
Be aware of limitations in the Local Government Act that define what types of material can be published and authorised.
Candidates may be approached while campaigning by residents with service requests or complaints, and must not act as an intermediary between the resident and Council. We will only deal directly with the affected party. Candidates should direct residents to contact us at enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au
Getting started
Your campaign toolkit by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) is a useful reference to help your campaign.
Training
The VLGA run the Local Women Leading Change initiative and it's supported by the Victorian Government. The aim of the initiative is to increase the representation of women as elected representatives in local government.
During the corona virus imposed restrictions, the initiative is running workshops online. These workshops are valuable for all prospective candidates.
The Local Government Act 2020 requires mandatory candidate training. More information will be provided when available.
Questions
If you want to know more about being a candidate, please contact Gina Burden, Manager Governance and Communication on 9490 4222.