Local council elections 2024

Candidate nominations closed yesterday for next month's Victorian local council elections. 

While local governments don't directly fund or run public transport, their deliberations strongly affect the environment in which it operates. Here's just a few examples: 

* Pedestrian crossings so you can easily reach bus stops (unless they are on main roads)
* Whether development decisions reinforce or discourage public transport usage
* The extent to which parking policy supports or impedes local walkability
* Active transport connections

Councils often have transport strategies. I surveyed them in 2019, though many have been updated since. Councillors can have significant input into them and ultimately vote on if they get adopted. 

In addition councils can advocate to the state government for better public transport connections. For example Mornington Peninsula Shire advocated for (and succeeded in) getting better bus services on the peninsula including a more frequent Route 788, an extended Route 781 and an express bus to Rosebud. Advocacy will become particularly important in the next couple of years with the next state election due in November 2026.  

Councillors have four year terms. The last council election was in 2020. I wrote a big feature on that so read that for more on what councils can do for improved transport. (I recommend you do - it's mostly still applicable today). 

First find your council area on the Victorian Electoral Commission's website. Then click on 'Find candidates' to get the list of candidates for each ward. At least in metropolitan councils wards are single member. See your council's website for maps to find which ward you are in.  

People sometimes set up websites to compare candidates on policy issues such as transport, parking, housing and environment so keep a look out for them to get a better idea on what each stands for. But nothing substitutes for contacting your candidates to get their views on the local matters that interest you.  

This is a postal vote (so no sausages). You will receive your ballot in the mail. Number all boxes and return it so it it received by November 1.  

If you're a candidate please use the comments below for a quick bio and link to your website etc. Or post links to any voter resources (transport related topics only) that could be useful.