It appears as though some changes are on the way within the Golden Plains Shire Council, with early indications suggesting a pair of Councillors may be making the decision to retire.
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Councillors Des Phelan and David Evans have reportedly indicated they will not stand for council again, both instead opting for retirement.
Cr Phelan, a Springdallah farmer, has lived and worked within Golden Plains all his live, including a total of 23 years with Golden Plains Shire Council and former Grenville Shire Council and five terms as Mayor.
Cr Evans was elected to council in 2016 and has specialised in rates and budgets during his time with the shire.
The five other current Councillors, Mayor Owen Sharkey (pictured on the right), Deputy Mayor Joanne Gilbert, Nathan Hansford, Les Rowe and Helena Kirby, will all be looking to retain their seats within council.
A trio of new nominees have put their hands up in the hopes of joining the council according to the Victorian Electoral Commission, Clayton Whitfield, Tim Harrop and Brett Cunningham.
Mr Whitfield, a resident of the shire for the past 14 years, has indicated his goals of bring improvements in community consultation, better asset maintenance through budget efficiency, and support the youth in our rural communities if elected.
He added his belief that he knows the issues facing farmers in the region well, having grown up on a farm, and has suggested initiatives such as a mobile mental health facility and attracting new businesses into the region.
Mr Harrop is the owner and operator of Moorabool Ridge Winery in Lethbridge. He and his wife have owned the winery since 1999.
Mr Cunningham, a Bannockburn resident, is coming into the election off the back of a Citizen of the Year nomination within the shire in 2019.
He was nominated for his work as the Chairman of the Bannockburn & District Connected Communities and for volunteering his time to help community groups secure funding. Mr Cunningham is also the founder of Bannockburn Neighbourhood Watch.
It's expected several other candidates will announce their own challenges before nominations close at noon on Tuesday, September 22.
IN THE NEWS
The Victorian Electoral Commission website includes live daily updates as more candidates nominate.
Ballot packs will be posted in early October, with voting closing on Friday, October 23.
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