Time for candidates to take poll positions NOMINATIONS for the 11 seats on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council open on Thursday and close midday next Tuesday (20 September). A list of candidates in ballot paper order will be available on the Victorian Electoral Commission website late Tuesday afternoon. The Saturday 22 October election will be conducted by post with candidate statements and photographs published online from Monday 26 September. The close of nominations signals the shire going into “caretaker mode” – a 32-day period which bans the current council making “inappropriate decisions” or “those that would affect voting at an election or decisions that may unreasonably bind an incoming council and could reasonably be deferred until after the election”. The ban prevents shire staff and resources being used for election campaigning “or in a way that may improperly influence the result of an election”. The shire has six wards, with two (Briars and Seawinds) having three councillors each, Nepean has two councillors and Cerberus, Watson and Red Hill each have one councillor. Ballot papers to be posted by 6 pm Friday 21 October and counting starting on Saturday 22 October. Winners will be announced at 4pm Wednesday 2 November. VEC senior communication officer Lawson Fletcher said information about candidates “will be progressively made available on the VEC website from Thursday”. Information about candidates at the
Council nod to expenses increase Continued from Page 1 Legal advice obtained by the shire cast doubts on the $16,000-a-term spending limit for each councillor and that repayment of any perceived overspending could be forced. Councillors also receive a $29,000 a year stipend. The mayor gets a $92,000 a year stipend and under the new package is also allowed to spend an extra $3500 on conferences and seminars and $2000 a year on entertainment. Under the new expenditure policy councillors cannot claim for alcohol and are subject to more definite conditions for child care payments. The new policy states that child care payments cannot be made to someone who “normally or regularly” lives with a councillor. Rates are $31 an hour for day/evening weekday care; $42 an hour on weekends; and $53 an hour on public holidays.
Candidates’ forum
Missing ward: The 2016 elections page on Mornington Peninsula Shire’s website stated on Monday there were six wards and 11 councillors, but the figures did not add up. Seawinds ward, which has three councillors, was missing.
shire’s elections will be at vec.vic. gov.au/Elections/2016LocalCouncilE lections Mr Lawson said the list of candidates will be updated twice-daily each weekday during the nomination period. After the close of nominations a
ballot draw will be held to determine the order that candidates’ names will appear on the ballot paper. Candidates can complete a questionnaire with answers available on the VEC website from Thursday 22 September. For attendance elections, the VEC
website will note which candidates, groups, individuals or organisations have registered a how-to-vote card from Wednesday 21 September. Registered how-to-vote cards are available for inspection at the relevant election office. Keith Platt
SOMERVILLE Community House is holding a forum in the expectation that there will be several candidates for the election of a councillor for Watson ward. The ward has been without its own councillor since the resignation of Lynn Bowden in May. The forum will give candidates time to make a personal presentation and answer set questions. Suggested questions can be sent to info@somervillecommunityhouse. com.au by Friday (23 September). The forum will be held 7-9pm Thursday 29 September at shop 24 at Somerville central.
HASTINGS COVE & WESTERNPORT GARDENS for enjoyable retirement
www.mrlc.com.au
OVER 55
Retirement Living
you really can afford! 2 & 3 BR units from $239,500 -$269,500 Close to the shops and the Marina, Hastings Cove and Westernport Gardens offer an idyllic lifestyle in a new or established brick home with your choice of layout and fittings. Come and experience for yourself the great community atmosphere, with loads of facilities from indoor bowls to computers with fast internet connection. And, of course, your pets are welcome.
Visit our website www.mrlc.com.au or call now for full details
Hastings Cove
5979 8812 2034 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Hastings (enter end of Michelle Drive)
Westernport Gardens
5983 6767 2460 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Bittern (enter from Myers Road) MICHAEL DEVOLA & ASSOCIATES Licensed estate agents and auctioneers 630 Hampton St, Brighton 3186 Ph: 9592 2222 In association with
Western Port News
13 September 2016
PAGE 5