Council
5 October, 2024
Dismal turnout from council candidates in state survey
Fewer than one in five candidates in the region's upcoming council elections have responded to a statewide survey conducted by a local government watchdog.
Council Watch, an apolitical independent body dedicated to "keeping them honest", has drawn responses from would-be councillors across Victoria to a comprehensive online questionnaire.
Seven of Horsham's 15 candidates have so far taken part, but only one each from Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh and Northern Grampians - and none from West Wimmera.
Rebecca Sluggett and Brian Klowss - already earmarked to represent Kalimna and Wyn Wyn wards in the Horsham Rural City Council election - have undertaken the questionnaire, along with council hopefuls Brian Basham, Kathy Ross, Ian Ross, David Bowe and Dylan Hesselberg.
Corinne Heintze - also guaranteed a seat in the Dunmunkle ward - is the only candidate featured from Yarriambiack Shire, while Chan Uoy is the survey's sole representative aiming to take a seat at the chamber in Hindmarsh.
Lauren Dempsey was the only one of 15 candidate for Northern Grampians to respond, while four of Buloke's contenders answered the call: Daryl Warren, Bruce Stafford, Stephen Barratt and Kevin Thomas O'Dea.
Council Watch president Dean Hurlston said voters across Victoria were sick of single-issue candidates who did not listen to their community, or candidates that said one thing and did another when elected.
"Many councils have been hijacked by activists who do not represent the whole community," Mr Hurlston said.
"We simply want communities to be better informed these elections."
Eleven of the region's 58 candidates have so far responded to the survey.
A Council Watch analysis of voter sentiment conducted in August found community satisfaction low across the state.
Many expect councils to provide free parking in high street locations to support local businesses - and a whopping nine out of 10 voters say councils should engage more in public consultation.
Roads and footpaths were by far the hottest areas in which voters wanted to see better service delivery.
Yarriambiack was among the lowest ranked council in the state for providing services. Northern Grampians was rated the best.
The voter survey was conducted via social media during the last two weeks of August.
There were more than 1800 responses from across all municipalities, with the exception of West Wimmera.
To see which candidates from your local council responded to the Council Watch survey, visit https://councilwatch.com.au/vicanswers
* The Wimmera Mallee News group - publisher of The Horsham Times, Warracknabeal Herald, Dimboola Banner and Rainbow Argus - will be publishing its own candidates survey over the next two weeks.