President’s Comment
A drawn out electoral and counting process between the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) and Australia Post has finally settled with all councils now sworn in.
Details are now listed on the Commission website and Councils are now finalising the election of their Mayors.
On behalf of the Victorian Local Governance Association, congratulations to all candidates who have been elected and thank you to all of those who ran – our democracy is stronger for your efforts.
It has also been a gratifying endorsement to see the return of all of our board members.
The increase in diversity of councillors is also impressive and a rewarding response to our efforts over numerous election cycles.
Particularly noteworthy is the record number of women councillors that have been elected across 78 councils in Victorian Local Government elections the past week.
Women now represent a record 38 percent of all Councillors in Victoria – an increase from the 34 percent in 2012.
This means that every council in Victoria again has at least one female representative. In a new high, 16 councils have 50 percent or more females.
In addition, a record number of women have been elected as Mayor for the 2016/17 Mayoral term.
This is a terrific outcome for the VLGA and the sector, and something to be celebrated.
We are also pleased to see that a number of candidates from the LGBTIQ community have been successful with 11 councillors identified as LGBTQI including 2 women.
As ever we are glad to see councils that more and more reflect our communities.
Of course our new councillors will be thrust straight into council planning processes, meeting procedure and the forthcoming budget cycle.
For all councillors, old and new, our team of dedicated, experienced staff stand ready to help with confidential advice, ideas and best practice for Councillors and Mayors, old and new.
