Five Moyne Shire leaders eye return to council at 2020 elections

Councillors Daniel Meade, Colin Ryan, Jordan Lockett, Ian Smith and Jim Doukas all confirmed they would re-contest the election.

But Cr Jill Parker and Cr Mick Wolfe, both on the council for three terms since 2008, told The Standard they were stepping down.

The state government has ruled the elections will go ahead despite some pushing statewide for a postponement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cr Meade, currently mayor, said the council's formal position was that the elections should go ahead despite limitations on face-to-face meetings.

"I can understand both sides of the discussion," he said. "Now the decision has been made we are running with that."

Cr Meade said his focus was on council governance during the pandemic, but he was seeking a second term to "help businesses and residents recover from the downturn".

Cr Ryan, a councillor since 2008, said he wanted to ensure small communities received investment.

He said he wanted to see plans for growth at Koroit finalise and higher tiers of government respond to community wind farm concerns.

Cr Lockett said a second term for him would mean pushing for Port Fairy's vacant goods shed to be re-purposed, more erosion protection at East Beach, and a strategy to equalise shire spending "as per where the income comes in".

Cr Smith, the furthest ratepayer in the north-east of the shire and a councillor since 2016, said he wanted all areas to have representation.

He said the council had responsibility for enforcing wind farm compliance but a lack of technical local expertise needed rectifying.

Cr Doukas, on council since 2002 and the longest serving current member, simply said: "I hope to continue the way I always have."

Four new candidates have thrown their hats in the ring, including Port Fairy's Karen Foster and Damian Gleeson, and Rosebrook's Genevieve Grant and Penny Iddon.

Candidate nominations close Tuesday September 26, and voting will close 6pm Friday October 23.

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