300 fresh faces will join 331 re-elected councillors after the final results of Victoria’s 78 elections have been published.

 

Rob Spence, Chief Executive of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), said that while it was encouraging to see a higher number of women councillors were elected, other election results reflected similar trends to the 2008 elections.

 

“It’s fantastic news for communities and the local government sector that women’s participation in civic duties is on the rise and being strongly supported by voters,” Mr Spence said.

 

“We now have 34 per cent women elected as councillors, a rise of 17 per cent.

 

“Unlike the 2008 elections when five all-male councils were elected, all 78 municipalities now have female representation including 10 majority-women councils.

 

“New and re-elected councillors are almost evenly split, with incumbents making up 52 per cent of councillors elected.

 

“While three quarters of all sitting councillors contested the election, only 71 per cent will go on for another term including 46 incumbent mayors.

 

“A further 16 mayors retired and 16 more were defeated, as 133 contesting councillors did not secure enough support at the ballot box for their re-election bid.”