Stand for Council 2024 - Local Government Elections

About Central Goldfields

Located at the geographical centre of Victoria, Central Goldfields Shire Council is within one hour’s drive of the regional centres of Ballarat and Bendigo and just two hours from Melbourne.

The municipality covers an area of 1,532 square kilometres and has an estimated population of almost 13,000 people. Central Goldfields Shire is bounded by Northern Grampians Shire in the north-west, Pyrenees Shire in the west, Hepburn Shire in the south, Mount Alexander Shire in the east and Loddon Shire in the north-east.

Maryborough is the major business centre with a population of around 8,000. Other townships include Bealiba, Carisbrook, Dunolly, Majorca, Talbot, Bowenvale-Timor, Daisy Hill – all of which feature iconic heritage architecture. Agricultural industries are spread across the municipality and include grain, sheep grazing and broiler farming. The municipality is also home to a number of major manufacturing, infrastructure, agricultural, freight, printing and food production companies. Residents have access to affordable housing and a wide variety of health services, schools and recreational facilities.

Candidate Information Sessions

Victorian Electoral Commission
The Victorian Electoral Commission will conduct a candidate information sessions prior to the call for nominations. Further information will be available closer to the election.

Municipal Association of Victoria
The Municipal Association of Victoria will host community and candidate information sessions. Full details are available here: Stand for Council | MAV website.

What participants will learn:

• The role and purpose of local government;
• Details of the Local Government Act 2020;
• Roles, responsibilities and expectations of a councillor;
• The experience of being a councillor; and,
• The electoral process and campaigning including key dates and information provided by the Victorian Electoral Commission.

Mandatory Candidate Training
Under the Local Government Act 2020, candidates will have to undertake mandatory candidate training to consider standing for council which will help candidates understand what is involved in becoming a councillor. 

Candidates must complete the Candidate Training course to be eligible to nominate with the Victorian Electoral Commission. This requirement applies to all serving or former councillors intending to nominate.

Further information will be available from Local Government Victoria closer to the election.

Standing for council

Who qualifies to be a councillor?
The Local Government Act 2020 (the Act) lists the qualifications to be a councillor and the electoral provisions for being on the voters roll. The VEC website explains the different entitlements that residents may hold. They can be found here.

How can I nominate for council elections?
Candidates are required to nominate with the Victorian Electoral Commission. The nomination period is from Thursday, September 19, 2024, to 12pm on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Read the VEC's "Becoming a council election candidate" on their website here.

Signage
Advertising material should not be placed on private property - on fences, boundaries or otherwise - without the landowner's permission. No advertising signs can be placed or allowed to be placed on any road or council land including facilities and venues. There are restrictions around advertising as well as provisions for signs not requiring a permit. Contact us for further information.

Mobile signs and billboards
The state Department of Transport is responsible for managing advertising on vehicles travelling on public roads. The council is responsible for other activities that occur at fixed locations within the municipality.

Councillor Induction Project
An extensive Councillor Induction Program will be provided to successful candidates over the first few months following the election.

Where can I find out more?

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is appointed to run the election on behalf of the council. They provide updated information on becoming a candidate. Visit the VEC website for further information. The VEC has candidate information here and the Central Goldfields Shire Council profile page can be found here.

The peak organisation for Victorian local government is the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). Find out more about standing for and becoming a councillor at their VicCouncils site.

The Know Your Council website provides an opportunity for you to access consistent information in regard to the performance of local councils across Victoria. It also has information on council elections.