Stand for Council
On this page:
- Overview
- Community and Candidate Information sessions
- 2024 Local Government Elections
- Why Stand?
- Additional links
Overview
Local democracy hinges on the need for councils to represent the diverse needs and aspirations of our local communities.
This year’s council elections are an opportunity for Victorians to elect the candidates who they think best represent, at the local level, their vision and interests for a better, stronger and more sustainable future.
In partnership with Victorian councils, the MAV is delivering a number of information sessions for the community and prospective candidates. These sessions can be attended either in-person or online.
By attending one of these sessions, participants will be provided with information about:
- Local government and the important role councils play for our local communities
- The role and responsibility of a Councillor, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and CEO
- The election process and candidate requirements
- What newly elected councillors can expect soon after the elections
- Councillor training and development opportunities.
The sessions will be held at various metropolitan and non-metropolitan locations across Victoria, with interested participants able to register to attend more than one session, including outside of their municipality.
To support and encourage a range of diverse candidates the MAV will also be hosting a number of additional sessions to assist potential candidates from under-represented groups.
Please note: These sessions are not the Local Government Compulsory Candidate Training. For more information about this please visit the Local Government Victoria Website
If you have any accessibility requirements please let us know at standforcouncil@mav.asn.au and we will assist you. We can arrange interpreter services, sign language/Auslan if required.
Online attendees who will be participating via Microsoft Teams can turn on captions and translation services if needed.
Community and Candidate Information sessions
Visit the MAV Regions map (PDF - 186KB) to find out what region your municipality is in.
Metropolitan Sessions
Thursday 9 May: Metropolitan East Session – Host: Yarra Ranges CouncilWednesday 29 May: Metropolitan South Session – Host: Casey City CouncilWednesday 5 June:Metropolitan West Session – Host: Wyndham City Council- Thursday 18 July: Metropolitan North Session - Host: Hume City Council
- Wednesday 31 July: Inner Metropolitan South East Session – Host: Port Phillip City Council.
- Thursday 15 August: City of Melbourne residents only session – Host: City of Melbourne
- Monday 19 August: Metropolitan East - Host : Manningham City Council
Non-Metropolitan Sessions
Wednesday 15 May: Loddon Campaspe Mallee - Host: Macedon Ranges Shire CouncilTuesday 11 June:Goulburn Ovens Murray – Host: Strathbogie Shire CouncilWednesday 12 June:Goulburn Ovens Murray – Host: Mitchell Shire CouncilThursday 13 June:Goulburn Ovens Murray – Host: Wangaratta Rural City CouncilThursday 27 June:Great South Coast Barwon – Host: Warrnambool City Council- Wednesday 17 July: Loddon Campaspe Mallee – Host: Greater Bendigo City Council
- Monday 22 July: Goulburn Ovens Murray - Host: Wodonga Council
- Wednesday 24 July: Gippsland – Host: East Gippsland Shire Council
- Thursday 25 July: Gippsland – Host: South Gippsland Shire Council
- Wednesday 7 August: Loddon Campaspe Mallee – Host: Swan Hill Rural City Council
- Thursday 8 August: Wimmera Southern Mallee – Host: City of Ballarat
- Monday 12 August: Gippsland - Host: Latrobe City Council
- Wednesday 14 August: Wimmera Southern Mallee – Host: Hindmarsh Shire Council
- Wednesday 28 August: Great South Coast Barwon – Host: Greater Geelong City Council.
Additional Sessions
Thursday 30 May: First Nations X Stand for Council – Host: Greater Shepparton City CouncilTuesday 4 June:Young X Stand for Council - Host: Municipal Association of Victoria (Online only)Wednesday 26 June:Women X Stand for Council – Host: Kingston City Council
2024 Local Government Elections
Local government, as the tier of government closest to the community, is where democracy starts.
In Victoria, 79 municipalities represent more than six million people. Each Victorian municipality is unique with populations varying from 4,000 to almost 400,000 people.
And local leadership is vital to support the wellbeing of local communities.
Committed, motivated and passionate people that reflect the diversity of our communities are encouraged to stand for council this year.
Every election, the Municipal Association of Victoria, as Victoria’s peak body for local government, supports councils in the election process.
Working closely with the Victorian Electoral Commission we provide resources to better understand the purpose of local government, what is expected of a councillor and the processes for getting elected.
To find more information about the 2024 Local Government Elections visit the VEC website including the:
- VEC Local Council Elections page
- VEC becoming a local council candidate page
- VEC local council candidate resources page – includes the candidate and scrutineer handbooks
- VEC Service Plan – 2024 Local Government elections
Why Stand?
Retiring councillors tell us about their experience as a councillor.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp AO
Cr Claudia Nguyen
Cr Rohan Leppert
Cr Rob Gersch
Additional links
- MAV President's message regarding the 2024 Council Elections
- Find information and contacts for Victorian councils
- What councils do
- Local Government Act 2020
- VEC website
For more information, please contact Stand for Council at standforcouncil@mav.asn.au.