A former Mount Alexander Shire councillor has claimed there is “no incentive to become a councillor” in smaller shires as the municipality gears up for a by-election to fill a vacancy left by its former mayor.
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Tony Bell resigned from council in October following a fractious same-sex marriage debate, during which he said he felt undermined by council staff.
His departure closely followed that of former mayor Sharon Telford, who held a position in the Tarrengower Ward.
Mr Bell, a former Castlemaine Ward councillor, juggled running a business and his representative duties during his time in public office.
“It’s the kind of position that suits someone who is retired or semi-retired,” he said.
“No one really wants to do it.”
Councillors are given an annual allowance, which equates to a wage, but that amount varies depending on the size of the shire.
Mount Alexander Shire councillors can receive between $8490-$20,231 with the mayoral salary threshold at $60,442.
Elsewhere, Bendigo councillors are eligible for up to $30,223 and the mayor up to $96,534.
Councillors are also reimbursed for travel, training and other expenses incurred as part of their role.
During the 2016 Mount Alexander Shire elections, two of the five wards were uncontested, with one candidate nominating in each.
In the 2012 shire elections, only one ward was uncontested, while in 2008 all five wards had at least two candidates in each.
An election is uncontested when the number of candidates at the close of nominations is equal to the number of vacancies within the electorate.
In November, the Victorian Electoral Commission held a countback to fill the vacancy left by Mr Bell, only for the successful candidate to decline the role, citing changing personal circumstances as the reason for his decision.
The VEC confirmed thee candidates – Stephen Gardner, Christine Fitzgerald and Jenny Adams – have nominated themselves for the vacant position in the Tarrengower Ward.
The by-election will be held by postal vote in February and the deadline for nominations closes at 12pm on Tuesday.
A VEC spokesperson said: “Local government is an important part of Australia’s democratic system, and nominating to stand as a councillor is a way of participating in democracy at the grass roots level.”
“Smaller local councils with small populations can mean the pool of possible candidates for councillor positions can be smaller.”
In 2016 across the 78 councils in Victoria, a total of 38 elections across 19 councils were uncontested. Four of the uncontested elections were for attendance elections and the remaining 34 were for postal elections.
The Tarrengower Ward in the Mount Alexander Shire has just 1743 eligible voters.
