The council election is just around the corner and The Courier wants to know what the Ballarat community thinks are the characteristics of a good councillor.
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Recently, more than 170 current Victorian councillors participated in a survey by the Municipal Association of Victoria to give a first-hand account of the councillor role and tips on getting elected.
MAV chief executive officer Rob Spence said the survey data showed that current councillors overwhelmingly received election information by engaging locally.
“The top three ways candidates found out about standing for council in 2012 was by speaking to a current councillor, attending an MAV candidate information session and through community links,” he said.
“This survey feedback shows that if you’re serious about standing for council it’s important you gain insight from a current councillor or through an information session before nominating to ensure you fully understand what is expected of an elected official.”
Mr Spence said it was important councillors had all the information ahead of nominating because survey data also showed that some candidates had underestimated aspects of being a councillor when they compared their initial expectations and to their actual experiences.
"Councillors who understand the importance of working together tend to have a better success rate at influencing decisions and achieving their priorities during their elected term," he said.
Are transparency, accountability and commitment your key criteria in a good councillor?
We want to hear from you. Let us know your thoughts in our online survey.
Melissa Cunningham
City of Ballarat and Social Affairs Reporter
City of Ballarat and Social Affairs Reporter
