FULL LIST: Who is running for council in Geelong, Surf Coast, Queenscliff?
With applications closing on Tuesday, a full list of candidates for the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Borough of Queenscliffe has been released. SEE LIST.
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The field of play for the region’s council elections has taken shape as Victorians prepare to head to the ballot box in October.
With the deadline for candidacy applications closing on Tuesday, the Victorian Electoral Commission has released a full list of candidates for all councils.
A total of 61 have thrown their hats in the ring for a chance to become a City of Greater Geelong councillor.
City Hall’s electoral structure has changed from the last election from four wards with multiple councillors to 11 single councillor wards.
Deakin ward, which centres on Waurn Ponds, has the most candidates with eight and doesn’t feature a current councillor.
On the other end of the spectrum, only two candidates will run for Murradoc ward which encompasses much of the Bellarine.
In the Corio ward, current councillors Sarah Hathway and deputy mayor Anthony Aitken will go head to head, while ex-mayor Stretch Kontelj will run against current councillor Peter Murrihy in Kardinia ward.
The Surf Coast Shire has also seen its wards restructured, cutting back from four to three, with three councillors to be selected from each.
In those three wards, 16 candidates have come forward, with Winchelsea and Torquay both featuring six.
The two wards will both see a fresh councillor, with only two current ones running in each.
Interestingly, while Otway Range ward only features four candidates, three of those are already in office.
The Borough of Queenscliff doesn’t have wards, with five councillors to be selected from a pool of 11.
Four current councillors, Rob Minty, Donnie Grigau, Isabelle Tolhurst and Ross Ebbels are all running for re-election.
Ex-mayor Helene Cameron who was forced to quit from council due to family health issues in 2016 will also run for election.
Earlier: Two new candidates throw hat in ring for October council elections
Two new candidates have thrown their hats in the ring ahead of October’s council elections.
David McGinness announced on Friday he would be running for the Barrabool Hills Ward.
Mr McGinness said “satisfaction with our council has declined” since the last local election.
“Decision-making has become less transparent and residents don’t feel they are getting value for money,” he said.
“Campaigning as a candidate for the Barrabool Hills ward, residents have raised their dissatisfaction with the current council with me and in particular the inequitable rates strategy and the declining maintenance of basic assets such as roads, facilities and footpaths.
“Under a cost-of-living crisis, Barrabool Hills residents were shocked to receive their rates notices recently.”
Mr McGinnes said his 30 years of professional experience, including 25 years as director of Softwood Plantation Exporters, meant he understood “what good governance looks like”.
“Council needs to be financially responsible and deliver value to our community, not only now but for future generations,” he said.
“By delivering value we enhance community wellbeing.
“If elected to represent the Barrabool Hills ward, I will bring my experience to council to deliver transparency in decision-making with defined accountabilities in all areas.”
As of September 17, Mr McGinness will be up against Aleta Moriarty and current Kardinia Ward councillor Ron Nelson.
In the Leopold Ward, Shona McKeen announced on Tuesday she would run with a vision to “make every dollar count.”
“I will demand ratepayer funds are used effectively to improve our roads and upgrade footpaths and lobby for safer and accessible travel in the region,” Ms KcKeen said.
“I’m honoured to stand as the connection between council and the people.
“As someone who has called Geelong home since 2011, I am committed to having the needs of our community heard and responded to.”
Ms McKeen said she boasted more than a decade of community involvement, leadership and volunteering to the table, alongside over two decades of experience in telecommunications.
Ms McKeen will be running against current mayor Trent Sullivan in the ward.
The cut-off for council candidate applications was 12pm Tuesday.
A full list of candidates will be made available and posted by the Geelong Advertiser tomorrow.
Geelong councillor Sarah Hathway speaks at anti-war rally in Melbourne
A Geelong councillor has used a violent protest which has cost taxpayers about $30m to call for investment in housing, instead of defence.
Sarah Hathway spoke at the Hanwha-Elbit out of Victoria rally, which was opposing defence manufacturing in her ward of Windermere in Geelong’s north, in Melbourne on Thursday.
South Korean manufacturing company Hanwha opened its $170m facility at Avalon in August, which will create 1800 jobs.
The facility will soon be operational and build two types of armoured vehicles.
In her speech at the rally, Ms Hathway said billions of dollars were being invested in defence manufacturing but there was “no time, no money or political will to address the housing, cost of living or the environment crisis”.
“I’m been doorknocking in Norlane and Corio for the past two months and people are really struggling and there is a lot of frustration that we are spending money on defence manufacturing rather than things for the social good,” Ms Hathway told this masthead.
Hanwha will become a major employer in the Geelong region but Ms Hathway said she would rather see “jobs for the social good”.
“These things are often justified by jobs but … we’re not seeing an improvement to housing services or quality of life (in the northern suburbs),” she said.
Ms Hathway, who is running for the Corio ward at next month’s Geelong council elections, said all levels of governments need to “defund war and refund communities”.
Thousands of protesters wrecked havoc across Melbourne to rally against the Land Forces expo.
Police said 42 people were arrested at Wednesday’s protests, including a Geelong West man, and 27 officers needed medical treatment.
The state government forked out $15m to police the event but it’s understood the bill will now cost taxpayers up to $30m.
Ms Hathway said she was “pretty disappointed” by the actions of Victoria Police and the state government.
“The fact that $15m was spent for a couple of hours of policing, which in my opinion and in many people’s opinion seem disproportionate and heavy handed … when we aren’t seeing investment in public housing or health, I find that incredibly frustrating,” she said.
Ms Hathway said she was planning to protest at the Avalon Airshow in March next year and asked rally attendees to join her.
Council hopeful vows to stamp out ‘toxic culture’
A new candidate in the upcoming local government elections has vowed to put an end to Geelong council’s “toxic culture.”
Community worker and gender equality campaigner Emma Sinclair has announced her intention to run for the Charlemont ward.
Ms Sinclair said she made the decision because she didn’t see anyone on council who shared her values.
“My area needs strident representation, and in my view it hasn’t had that for many years,” Ms Sinclair said.
“It’s time for Geelong council to get new and varied voices.”
Ms Sinclair said council had “struggled with a toxic culture for more than a decade”.
“Enough with the bullying and dodgy deals,” she said.
“I am sick of my city being on the brink of administration.”
Ms Sinclair worked as an adviser and campaign director for former MP Fiona Patten and ran as a state parliament candidate for Ms Patten’s Reason Party.
She said she was no longer involved with any political parties.
“I’m pragmatic, capable, compassionate and I’m a local with no party affiliations,” she said.
”I will work hard to protect community assets like our libraries.
“As one of the first group of people to build my home in the new Charlemont precinct some years ago, I completely understand the difficulties my neighbours are going through – and the council needs to hear these concerns loud and clear.
“I know this area well, I grew up here, went to school here, in fact my parents still live in the same house in Belmont I grew up in.”
Ms Sinclair added she was “crazy about dogs.”
“A greyhound dog park is high on my list of priorities,” she said.
Charlemont ward Geelong council candidate Teagan Mitchell says she’s victim of ‘bogus’ phone attack
A Geelong council hopeful says she’s been the victim of a targeted attack that saw her details used to contact dozens of local businesses.
City of Greater Geelong council candidate for the Charlemont Ward, Teagan Mitchell, said her campaign contact details were used fraudulently to lodge inquiries with local businesses, including car dealers and real estate agencies. She said this had caused her phone to light up with texts and calls.
“On Sunday my phone would not stop going off,” Ms Mitchell said.
“To my shock, someone has chosen to use my name, campaign details, phone number and email address to make over 30 bogus inquiries, calls, texts and various other forms of engagement.”
Ms Mitchell has reported the incident to the eSafety Commissioner, and said she was in the process of taking their advice.
Ms Mitchell said the incident had made her question her safety.
“I am shocked that someone has stooped so low by fraudulently using my name and contact details, making me feel unsafe”, she said.
“My focus is on my community and talking to Charlemont residents about what matters.
“I will not let something like this shake me or take me away from what I want to do, which is to represent our beautiful ward and our community. I refuse to stay silent and let this slip.”
Ms Mitchell said she wanted to apologise to anyone who had received a bogus
inquiry using her details, and said she was seeking legal advice regarding the incident.
The eSafety Commissioner was contacted for comment.
Geelong council candidate reveals plans to redevelop Market Square
A local businessman vying for mayor is hoping to enhance Geelong’s urban environment and outlined his plans to redevelop Market Square if successful in the upcoming council elections.
Candidate for the Cheetham Ward, Tom Gant, intends to enter the ballot for mayor as an independent.
Mr Gant said his campaign focuses on enhancing Geelong’s urban environment,
fostering economic growth, and leveraging the city’s UNESCO City of Design status
to create a more sustainable and inclusive community.
“I believe in Geelong’s potential as a leader in design, sustainability, and innovation,” Mr Gant said.
“My goal is to work collaboratively with business owners, landlords, and community members to maximise the impact of our current development plans and create a vibrant, safe, and economically thriving city.”
Mr Gant also said a key focus of his was redeveloping the Market Square precinct.
He said while the recent “Malop Heart” plan aimed at revitalising the area, the lack of consultation with property owners has led to challenges.
“Instead of starting from scratch, we need to build on the current plan by engaging all
stakeholders and ensuring that the development aligns with the needs of the
community,” Mr Gant said.
“By working together, we can transform Market Square into a vibrant hub that reflects Geelong’s status as a city of design and enhance its appeal to residents and visitors alike,” he said.
Mr Gant said Geelong has a unique opportunity to showcase sustainable design and innovation.
“We can create public spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but also environmentally friendly, setting an example for other cities worldwide,” he said.
“We need to support our local economy while also promoting sustainable growth.
“By encouraging environmentally friendly business practices and development, we can create a stronger, more resilient Geelong.”
Mr Gant said he would focus on supporting local businesses and attracting new investments and plans to ensure that economic development aligned with sustainable practices.
Meanwhile, independent candidate for the Hamlyn Heights ward, Mathew Hood, said he would pledge 25 per cent of his council salary to local charities and community groups.
Mr Hood said he could bring fresh ideas to the table with a focus on local issues.
“Some of my focus areas will be footpath and road maintenance, graffiti reduction programs, public safety, community programs with a particular focus on fitness and mental health,” Mr Hood said.
Candidates take aim at recent rate hikes
An independent candidate for Geelong council has taken a swing at recent rate hikes, labelling them as “unconscionable” during the cost-of-living crisis.
Candidate for Barrabool Hills ward Aleta Moriarty said it was “hard to understand the justification” for levying rates higher than inflation.
“It looks like the council has taken the rate cap, intended to support struggling households, and passed this on in full as a rate cut to businesses, while excessively hiking residential rates,” Ms Moriarty said.
“We should be looking at ways to help alleviate the pressure, not further sticking the boot in.”
Incumbent Geelong councillor Ron Nelson is among the other candidates vying to be elected in the newly-created ward, which takes in Highton, Wandana Heights and Ceres.
Ms Moriarty compared the rate-rises to supermarket price gouging.
“When a supermarket raises prices higher than inflation, we view it as opportunistic gouging during this cost-of-living crisis,” she said.
“We need the same discipline in our public financial management to ensure rate-paying households aren’t burdened with excessive costs. It needs to be fair.”
Ms Moriarty has worked for the United Nations and World Bank, was the chief executive for Victoria’s Human Rights Arts and Film Festival.
She’s not the only independent to enter the race for local government of late.
On the other side of Honeys Rd, Tony Phelps has put his hand up for Winchelsea ward in the Surf Coast election.
Mr Phelps officially announced his candidacy last week, with the theme “focus on what matters” and an emphasis on “essential community needs and proactive solutions”.
Mr Phelps said his key focus areas are improving road servicing, proactive maintenance of community assets, such as parks, recreational facilities and public spaces, and advocacy for programs and initiatives to combat isolation, create friendships and “bring enjoyment to life”.
Mr Phelps is chair of Winchelsea Community House’s committee, secretary of community newspaper the Winchelsea Star and a volunteer firefighter with Wurdale CFA Brigade.
The independents are joined the latest batch of Greens candidates, Jess Harper (Cheetham), Izzy Scherrer (Deakin) and Theresa Slater (You Yangs), who have formally announced their candidacy.
The Greens now have six candidates in the Geelong election, with the trio joining previously announced candidates Emilie Flynn, Joey Nicita and Maddie Slater.
Nominations for this year’s local government elections open September 9 and close September 17.
Ballots will be sent in the mail from October 8 and voters have until October 25 to return them.
Mayor makes call on council candidacy
Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan has confirmed his candidacy for October’s council election.
Despite keeping his cards close to his chest last week, Mr Sullivan said on Friday he would be running for the Leopold ward.
He also confirmed he would be putting up his hand again for mayor, if re-elected.
Mayor coy on candidacy
Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of nominations opening for October’s local government elections.
Unlike many of his colleagues, Mr Sullivan, 32, has not confirmed his candidacy and when pressed, he said he was “half-half”.
“I’ve been around for seven years now,” he said of his term on council.
“Sometimes you go ‘you love your job’, but sometimes you go ‘geez, it’s a lot of work’, and that’s all at the same time.
“I always say we shouldn’t run as councillors simply because we like being councillors.
“I’m very proud of the achievements we have down in the Bellarine ward … so I have to sit under that tree and think ‘am I the best one?’ or is it time to get somebody else in there?”
Mr Sullivan was last month appointed one of four vice presidents of the Liberal Party’s Victorian branch.
His political ties are well-known, having previously served as president of the Geelong Regional Young Liberals group.
While many observers say his ultimate aim was to progress to state or federal politics, Mr Sullivan would only say he “didn’t want to be a councillor for life”.
“I’ve seen other councillors across the state that hang out for 30, 35 years, that’s not my ambition,” he said.
“There’s no doubt I have spent all my time in the local government sector, and I’m 32, it’d be good to probably get some private sector experience as well so I’m not, you know, narrowed down to that box.”
Having been elected mayor in late 2022, his annual allowance got a small bump on July 1 to $134,954, double that of deputy mayor Anthony Aitken’s $67,477.
Mr Sullivan unsuccessfully stood for council as a 23-year-old in the October 2015 Kildare ward by-election.
He was the third councillor elected to the Bellarine ward in 2017 behind Stephanie Asher and Jim Mason.
Mr Mason, 77, is not seeking re-election, while fellow Bellarine ward councillor Elise Wilkinson, who replaced Ms Asher 12 months ago, will contest Connewarre as part of a new structure involving 11 single-member wards.
“I am bidding a fond farewell and passing the baton to the next generation,” Mr Mason said.
Meanwhile, the number of Greens candidates vying to become Geelong councillors continues to climb.
Disability Intermediaries Australia boss Jess Harper has been endorsed for the Cheetham ward, where he will come up against incumbent councillor and Labor member Melissa Cadwell.
Theresa Slater will stand in the You Yangs and Izzy Scherrer in Deakin.
The Greens announced Emilie Flynn (Kardinia), Joey Nicita (Hamlyn Heights) and Maddie Slater (Corio) as candidates in May.
Surf Coast candidates call on council to go back to basics
An alliance campaigning under a “back to basics” banner has put forward three candidates for the Surf Coast Shire council election.
The trio of Joel Grist, Rebecca Bourke and Eric Menogue is joined by incumbent councillor Paul Barker, who had already committed to standing in the Torquay ward.
All said they support Australia Day in its current form.
Mr Barker, a member of the Libertarian Party’s executive, has long rallied against what he views as a left-leaning council preoccupied with issues outside of its control.
That position is backed by Heather Wellington, who has opted against seeking re-election after 12 years on council.
Mr Grist, a Torquay resident, is standing in the Winchelsea ward.
He is a member of the Libertarian Party and operates Colac Chiropractic, having been a member of the Australian Chiropractors Association for almost three decades.
Citing his experience as a business owner, Mr Grist said council’s budget was being mismanaged.
“If you want to deliver big budget projects, then you have to look at streamlining processes and cutting wasteful expenditure, not lump future ratepayers with debt,” he said.
“I am of the strong opinion that the shire should be run like a large body corporate, councillors be apolitical, and council not be a forum for social justice issues or ideological governance.”
Mr Menogue, an Australian Army special forces veteran and Liberal Party member, and Ms Bourke, a family law mediator unaffiliated with any political party, are both standing in Torquay.
“There are simple solutions and getting council back to basics will be important for the prosperity of the shire, and Surf Coast families’ bottom line,” Ms Bourke said.
“Improving things like the council’s community engagement process will be of great benefit moving forward.”
Mr Menogue questioned the current council’s commitment to transparency.
“It’s alarming that basic information often requires a freedom of information request,” he said.
Ms Wellington said the majority of ratepayers wanted the shire to deliver quality local services and infrastructure, rather than a council that tried to shape social issues.
“State and federal governments have both the expertise and tools to deal with broader social issues,” she said.
“Council is fundamentally a service organisation and the community elects councillors to govern it well.
“Residents need to insist candidates disclose what they stand for – I really like this group’s clarity about that.”
In changes ticked off by Local Government Minister Melissa Horne, the number of Surf Coast Shire wards has dropped from four to three, with each to be represented by three councillors.
The Winchelsea ward will take in the north of the shire, while the Otway Range ward will take in the south, including Jan Juc.
Torquay will have its own ward.
Nominations for this year’s local government elections open September 9 and close September 17.
Ballots will be sent in the mail from October 8 and voters have until October 25 to return them.
Earlier: Greens unveil another three council candidates
Left-wing political party the Greens will run a trio of female candidates in the Surf Coast Shire when local government elections are held later this year.
The announcement comes as a push for gender parity on councils ramps up, with several Geelong candidates unveiled prior to a Women in Local Democracy (WILD) event on Thursday night.
Incumbent Surf Coast Greens councillor Kate Gazzard, elected in 2020 with 19.1 per cent of first preference votes, will stand in the Otway Range ward, which runs from Jan Juc to Lorne and inland to Deans Marsh.
The Greens will also run Phoebe Crockett in Torquay and Aleisja Henry in Winchelsea.
Ms Crockett works as a place activation officer at Wyndham City Council, while Ms Henry is a research and engagement specialist at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.
“Now, more than ever, we need people power to stand up to the gas companies, polluters and the government, who are letting giant corporations explore for gas in our oceans,” Dr Gazzard said.
Ms Crockett said she wanted to “build our resilience to local climate change impacts by listening to the locals and leading local climate action”.
“We need to protect our beloved natural heritage of the Surf Coast,” she said.
The Greens previously announced three candidates for Geelong council.
Former Hornsby Shire councillor Joey Nicita will run in Hamlyn Heights, Emilie Flynn in Kardinia, and Maddie Slater in Corio.
They are hoping to emulate the Greens’ Sarah Mansfield, who was the first Brownbill ward candidate elected in 2020 after receiving 23.1 per cent of first preference votes.
She resigned from council after being elected to Victoria’s Legislative Council at the 2022 state election.
The WILD event will be held at Geelong Library at 5.30pm on Thursday and attendees will hear from Labor MPs Gayle Tierney and Libby Coker.
It is expected that candidates Azadeh Doosti (Corio ward), Kate Lockhart (Murradoc), Susan Joachim (Charlemont), Teagan Mitchell (Charlemont), Izzy Scherrer (Deakin), Lorraine Kulic (You Yangs) and Theresa Slater (You Yangs) will also be in attendance.
Current Geelong councillors Melissa Cadwell (Cheetham), Elise Wilkinson (Connewarre), and Sarah Hathway (Corio) have committed to standing again.
All three were elected on countbacks following the resignations of Ms Mansfield, former mayor Stephanie Asher, and Kylie Grzybek during the current term of council.
Indians In Geelong founder Sunny Dhaliwal will run in Charlemont, while Mathew Hood is confirmed in Hamlyn Heights.
Current Surf Coast councillors Paul Barker and Adrian Schonfelder have confirmed they will respectively run in the Torquay and Winchelsea wards.
Mr Barker, a member of the Libertarian Party’s executive, will on Sunday unveil candidates from across the political divide who will campaign on a “back to basics” platform.
Nominations for this year’s local government elections open September 9 and close September 17.
Ballots will be sent in the mail from October 8 and voters have until October 25 to return them.
Originally published as FULL LIST: Who is running for council in Geelong, Surf Coast, Queenscliff?
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