At least seven of nine Bendigo councillors will recontest their seats at the upcoming local government election. 

With three months to go until polling day only Whipstick Ward councillor Lisa Ruffell has ruled herself out of the race. 

Lockwood Ward’s Elise Chapman is the only councillor who remains – at least publicly – undecided. 

Five councillors told the Bendigo Advertiser in March they intended to recontest – Whipstick Ward councillor James Williams, Lockwood Ward councillors Rod Fyffe and Barry Lyons and the Eppalock Ward’s Rod Campbell and Helen Leach.     

This week both Whipstick Ward councillor Peter Cox and Eppalock Ward councillor Mark Weragoda said they too intended to run, though both said they would make more formal announcements over coming weeks.  

Cr Weragoda said he would develop a platform on which to run but stressed the importance of “continuity”. 

“Bendigo’s in such a good position to deliver on many of the great projects which we’ve been working towards, like the airport and the [Kangaroo Flat] aquatic and wellbeing centre,” Cr Weragoda said. 

“We’ve already delivered the Ulumbarra Theatre and Bendigo Gallery [redevelopment] and, of course, one of the exciting things as a current councillor is that I sit on the gallery board and given the success of Marilyn I’m looking forward to working with the team to deliver the next great exhibition.”

Cr Cox also said he would lay out the arguments for his re-election soon. 

“I’ll be making a more formal announcement in the next couple of weeks but, at this stage, I will be running,” he said.

The Advertiser last week reported councillors Leach and Chapman would recontest their seats.

Cr Chapman has since indicated to the Advertiser she remains undecided.

At least 10 candidates have announced to the Advertiser they intend to challenge the eight councillors who will recontest their seats. 

Are you planning on running for council? Contact joseph.hinchliffe@fairfaxmedia.com.au.

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