Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland is encouraging Strathbogie Shire residents to throw their hat in the ring and represent their community ahead of council elections later this year.
Elections are set for October, giving residents of the Strathbogie Shire an opportunity to vote for new local representatives, or stand for election themselves should they be interested.
Strathbogie Shire Council has been under the supervision of an interim administrator, Peter Stephenson since December 2023, when all councillors were suspended by the Minister for Local Government following a tumultuous period involving multiple council monitors and significant media attention.
“This is a great opportunity to have genuine, community-focused people in positions that allow them to represent their region,” Ms Cleeland said.
“A clean slate is just what the Strathbogie Shire needs, and I encourage any would-be councillors to put their hand up for the role.
“I know our community is filled with people that can make a real difference at a local government level and put the needs of the local region as their number one priority.”
This week, Ms Cleeland received a briefing from the office of the Minister for Local Government who confirmed the administration of the council would not be extended beyond October’s council elections.
During the meeting, Ms Cleeland raised the need to urgently re-evaluate the school crossing supervisor decision.
Ms Cleeland addressed concerns about the Labor Government making changes to the Strathbogie Shire’s structure, removing the ward system in favour of an unsubdivided system.
“The main concern I have about these changes is that it will result in less representation from the Strathbogie Shire’s smaller towns as Longwood, Violet Town, and Strathbogie,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The ward system allowed for relatively even representation across the shire and prevented larger towns from dominating proceedings.
“Not only does it impact these towns’ representation in council related decisions, but it will also make a considerable impact on the campaign process for electing new councillors.
“Prospective councillors will now need the financial resources to appeal to the entire shire, rather than just their ward and local community, making it far easier for wealthier, politically backed candidates to be elected.
“Labor’s decision-making in this situation reeks of politicising our local councils for their own personal gain, with this system allowing for an easier introduction of politically focussed councillors, rather than community focussed ones.
“We want our councillors to be reflective of the entire shire to ensure that the community is put first in all decisions.”
