By VANESSA VALENZUELA
WYNDHAM Council is set for its biggest shakeup in years, with a record 46 candidates nominating for this month’s election.
Eight of the nine current councillors have all nominated, with former Mayor John Menegazzo electing not to run in the first election since 2008.
The election is expected to be one of the most hotly contested.
Current councillors have recently come under fire over changes to the Urban Growth Boundary which have increased some residential rates by more than 400 per cent.
The management of Wyndham’s rapid growth over the last four years and into the future is expected to be a key issue this election.
Nineteen candidates will contest four vacancies in the Chaffey ward, which includes suburbs
Tarneit and Hoppers Crossing.
Last week, the Victorian Electoral Commission held announced the results of its ballot, which determines the order in which candidates are positioned on the ballot paper.
Current Mayor Kim McAliney drew 10th position and Shane Bourke, Wyndham’s current longest serving councillor, third.
“As current Mayor and seven years on council I still have the passion, commitment, motivation together with my wealth of community experience and knowledge of the City,” Cr McAliney told Star.
Former councillor Marie Brittan will also run as a Chaffey Ward candidate after a three-year absence from the council.
“I have a long history of community involvement and I know the community well and the issues we all face,” Ms Brittan said.
Ms Brittan, a former electorate officer for Tarneit MP Tim Pallas, was forced to quit the council after the State Government introduced new rules prohibiting electorate officers from also serving as councillors.
“I enjoyed my previous council experience and now wish to continue in that role,” she said.
Wyndham Tourism Association president George Tomkins has put his hand up, alongside Hoppers Crossing resident Bro Sheffield-Brotherton and former Werribee police officer Ron Fenton.
Eighteen candidates will stand for four vacancies in the newly named Harrison Ward, with Deputy Mayor Glenn Goodfellow and councillors Bob Fairclough and Adele Hegedich running again.
“I have only scratched the surface during my first terms of what I wanted to achieve for Wyndham, and believe that by being voted in for a second term I can continue the good work that I has already started,” Cr Goodfellow said.
Truganina residents Intaj Khan and Mohammed Isah will also run in the Harrison ward, along with doctor Chang Choi and Victoria University’s Elleni Bereded-Samuel.
Incumbent councillors Cynthia Manson and Heather Marcus are standing in the Iramoo Ward against nine other candidates including former police officer Peter Gibbons and Greens candidate Eilis Hughes.
Cr Marcus told Star she would be standing as an independent candidate and believes there is no room for party politics in the council.
“I think I have a proven record and I would continue to work hard but would communicate more with all residents of this City,” she said.
Voters will have ballot packs sent to them between 9 and 11 October which must be returned by post by Friday 26 October.
There is no voting on Saturday 27 October for a postal election.
For more information on candidates and the election, visit www.vec.vic.gov.au
