BALLARAT is one step closer to electing its next council after official ballot papers for next month’s local government elections were prepared yesterday by the Victorian Electoral Commission.
In the city’s three wards, 22 candidates will contest nine positions,with ballots and voter information packs to be distributed to households in the coming fortnight.
Some familiar names will be missing from the ballots in 2012 – former Ballarat mayor Craig Fletcher, deputy mayor Ben Taylor and councillors Noel Perry, Cheryl Bromfield and Judy Verlin are set to leave the council chamber.
Mayor Mark Harris will recontest in Central Ward, alongside Greens candidate Belinda Coates, Ballarat Specialist School principal John Burt, longtime council watcher Gary Fitzgerald, University of Ballarat staffer Matthew Freeman, financial planner Jenny Overington and self-described house-husband Glen Crompton.
Current North Ward councillor Samantha McIntosh will seek election to the Central Ward for the first time.
Councillor John Philips is standing for re-election in the North Ward. Other challengers include statutory planner Allan Carter, business professional Scott Hebbard, not-for-profit leader Vicki Coltman, communications professional Daniel Moloney and health worker Amy Johnson.
Councillor and police officer Des Hudson will seek re-election in the South Ward, standing against businessman Jim Rinaldi, former councillor and community worker Peter Innes, disability advocate Matt Mattson, teacher Joshua Morris, businessman Stephen Pelchen, lawyer David Eldridge and community advocate Sundram Sivamalai.
City of Ballarat returning officer Colin Nicholson said candidate preferences would be lodged this week, with ballots and information packs to be distributed to all eligible voters via Australia Post.
Mr Nicholson said provisional results will be announced on Sunday October 28.
Official results will be declared after counting is finalised.
thomas.mcilroy@thecourier.com.au
Candidates in municipal elections across the region
Ararat Rural City Council (7 vacancies, 13 candidates) Mr HARRIS, Ian George; Mr WOODS, Murray Winston; Mrs HULL, Fay; Mrs ALLGOOD, Gwenda Mary; Mr WILSON, Ian Francis; Mr HULL, Gary; Mr DEUTSCH, Franz; Mr McKENZIE, Colin
Central Goldfields Shire Council Flynn Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) Mr SMITH, John; Mr THOONEN, Peter
Maryborough Ward (4 vacancies, 7 candidates) Ms NIXON, Paula; Mr DIX, Brendan; Mr LOVETT, Geoff; Mrs COLLICOAT, Narrina; Ms CONSTABLE, Annie; Mr RINALDI, Barry; Ms McIVOR, Wendy
Paddys Ranges Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) Dr VAN BEVEREN, John Andrew; Mr MEDDOWS-TAYLOR, Chris
Tullaroop Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) Ms CURRY, Lyn; Mr ROBERTSON, Ian
Golden Plains Shire Council (7 vacancies, 12 candidates) Mr CAMERON, Andrew; Mrs COAD, Joy Margaret; Mrs KIRBY, Helena Angela; Mr QUICK, Luke; Mr CLIFTON, Peter; Mr HANSFORD, Nathan John; Mr PHELAN, Des; Mr JOHNSTON, Deema; Mr VAUGHAN, Greg; Mrs BLAKE, Jenny; Mr McARTHUR, Bill; Ms LEWERS, Helen
Hepburn Shire CouncilBirch Ward (2 vacancies, 6 candidates) Dr McCUTCHEON, Jade; Mr HAWKES, Brian; Mr NICLAS, Pierre; Dr BARRELL, Jonathan Geoffrey; Ms SEDGMAN, Chris; Ms REDWOOD, Kate
Cameron Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) Mr TWENTYMAN, Dennis; Mr NEWITT, Neil
Coliban Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) Mr KLEIN, Sebastian John; Mr FLOKY, Robert Hysen
Creswick Ward (2 vacancies, 4 candidates) Mr MAY, Greg; Mr ESMORE, Ian; Mr NEAL, Charles; Mr HENDERSON, Don
Holcombe Ward (UNCONTESTED)Mr McCLENAGHAN, William Marks
Moorabool Shire CouncilCentral Moorabool Ward (1 vacancy, 4 candidates) Mr TATCHELL, Paul; Ms FIANDER, Gail Louise; Mr FLACK, Philip Edward; Mr MEADOWS, Brian
East Moorabool Ward (4 vacancies, 6 candidates) Mr SPAIN, John; Mr BORGELT, Lawry; Mr GRIFFIN, Pat; Mr EDWARDS, David; Mrs DUDZIK, Tonia; Mr COMRIE, Allan Edmund
West Moorabool Ward (UNCONTESTED) Mr SULLIVAN, Thomas Gerard
Woodlands Ward (UNCONTESTED)Mr TOOHEY, Pat
Pyrenees Shire CouncilAvoca Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) Mr EASON, Ron; Mr MOORE, Gary
Beaufort Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) Mr O'CONNOR, Michael; Miss KENDALL, Julie Elizabeth F.
De Cameron Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) STEVENS, Wendy; Mr VANCE, Robert J.
Ercildoune Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) Ms SHARAM, Max; Mr CLARK, David
Mount Emu Ward (1 vacancy, 2 candidates) Mrs KEHOE, Tanya; Mr CARSON, Alec