2008 Council Elections
Maroondah will conduct elections on 29 November 2008 for nine Councillors - three Councillors each for the wards Mullum, Arrabri and Wyreena. For the first time Councillors will be elected for a four year term.
The following information is specific to the 2008 elections, and provides an easy reference point for potential candidates and interested residents.
Ward boundary maps
View new Maroondah ward boundary map and detailed ward maps
Key election dates for Maroondah
- 29 September to 3 October
Display of Voters' Lists for inspection by the community at the Council Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood. - 3 October
Entitlement Date - all Voters' Rolls to be used at the elections to close at 4pm. - 21 October
Information Session - the Victorian Electoral Commission will facilitate a session for prospective candidates commencing at 7pm, City Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood. - 23 October
Nominations open - nomination period opens for candidates to stand at the election. All nominations may only be lodged at the Returning Officer's premises. The Returning Officer is the official appointed to conduct the election. - 28 October
Nomination Day - nominations to stand at the election close at strictly 12 noon. - 11 to 13 November
Ballot packs to be mailed to all voters in random order. - 28 November
Voting closes at 6pm. Ballot papers to be returned by 6pm to be a valid vote. - 29 November
Election Day - 30 November to 5 December
Declaration of the poll (announcement of election results) by the Returning Officer. Exact date to be determined.
Information for prospective Councillors
Overview
Information has been compiled for prospective candidates for Council. This publication is intended to offer an overview of the process, and is not intended to be a definitive guide. It contains information about Council’s election structure, the electoral processes and some handy hints for running as a candidate.
Prospective Councillors (PDF, 575 kB)
Stand for Council website
The Municipal Association of Victoria also has a web site for people considering standing for Council. It contains information on the role of a Councillor, the types of decisions made by Councillors, time commitment and electoral processes. Visit http://www.standforcouncil.com.au/.
Information session
The Victorian Electoral Commission will facilitate an information session for potential candidates. Electoral processes applicable to every candidate will be explained in detail.
Date: Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 7:00pm
Venue: Council Chamber at the City Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood
Victorian Electoral Commission
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is contracted to run the Maroondah elections in November 2008.
The VEC has a comprehensive website that will include information specific to Maroondah's election, such as
- Information for candidates regarding an election conducted via post (ballot papers are mailed to all voters)
- Process for nominating as a candidate
- Important dates in detail for candidates in the election process
- Who has nominated as a candidate within each ward
- Candidates statements and contact details
- Details of voting system - the Proportional Representation System of voting
- Voting details after the election.
Please note that this information will become progressively available on the VEC's website as each stage of the election process is undertaken. Go to the VEC's web site and select the topics Local council & community elections and Resource centre (publications).
Returning Officer
The Returning Officer is the official who conducts the election and ensures that it is run in accordance with all statutory provisions. The Victorian Electoral Commission appoints the Returning Officer.
There are numerous functions carried out by the Returning Officer including:
- Accepting the nomination of candidates for the election
- Draw to determine the order of names on the ballot paper
- Counting of the votes
- Declaration of the poll (the result of the election).
The Returning Officer is the prime source of information regarding electoral processes for candidates. Any query that a candidate has about the elections should be directed to the Returning Officer.
Contact details
- Returning Officer
Greg Irvine - Address
Shop 3, 1 - 5 Civic Place, Ringwood (adjacent to the Bendigo Bank)
Note: Premises open week commencing 20 October 2008 - Telephone
Until the premises open all election enquiries should be directed to the Victorian Electoral Commission on 13 18 32
Election caretaker period policy
In the lead-up to the November elections all Victorian Councils are subject to a caretaker period that will operate for 32 days from Tuesday 28 October to Saturday 29 November 2008.
The purpose of the caretaker period is for Councils to avoid making any major policy or significant decisions that may bind a new incoming Council, or be seen as influencing voters. Maroondah City Council will therefore be restricted during the caretaker period to only day-to-day routine decision making.
A wide variety of issues and processes will be curtailed or restricted during the caretaker period, including
- Public consultation processes
- Use of Council resources
- Hiring or firing the Chief Executive Officer
- Entering into contracts that exceed (for Maroondah City Council) $381,000
- Engaging in any entrepreneurial activities
- Access to information by any candidate for the election
- Content of media releases and Council publications
- Assistance to any candidate for the election
- The content of reports to the November Council Meeting.
