Prospective Southern Grampians Shire Council election candidates and community members are invited to participate in upcoming candidate information sessions to find out all about what it means to be a Councillor.
Candidate Information Sessions (optional):
The Southern Grampians Shire Council Candidate Information Session, facilitated by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), will take place online Monday 7 September from 5:30pm – 7:30pm and Thursday 10 September 7pm – 9pm. This information session is optional for prospective candidates.
The two-hour interactive online session will provide community members and prospective candidates with information about the role and purpose of local government and the responsibilities and expectations of a Councillor.
The session will also cover:
• the new Local Government Act 2020;
• introduction to the Southern Grampians Shire and information on the municipal area;
• the experience of being a Councillor; and
• the electoral process and campaigning including key dates and information provided by
the Victorian Electoral Commission.
Local Government Victoria Candidate Training (mandatory):
This year, for the first time, local government candidates are required to complete mandatory training to be eligible to nominate. In accordance with the Local Government Act 2020, you will not be eligible for election if this training is not completed. This includes all serving or former councillors intending to nominate.
Local Government Victoria (LGV) has developed the online course in collaboration with the sector. Available soon through the LGV website, it will be easily accessible online and take approximately an hour to complete. When training opens you can complete it at your own pace, any time, 24 hours a day seven days a week. You must finish the training before you nominate. It is due to close at 5:00pm on Monday 21 September 2020.
This course is about building confidence for both candidates and communities. The training covers vital information you need to know about being a councillor, including understanding a conflict of interest, a code of conduct, and what support is available to help you do the role.
Nomination dates for the upcoming elections:
• 17 September 2020 Nominations open
• 22 September 2020 Nominations close
