2016 Victorian local elections explained

Country:Victoria
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Election Date:22 October 2016
Previous Election:2012 Victorian local elections
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Victorian local elections
Next Year:2020
Leader1:N/A
Party1:Independents
Leader2:Greg Barber
Party2:Greens
Last Election2:18 seats
Seats Before2:16
Seats2:29
Seat Change2: 13
Leader3:No leader
Party3:The Socialists
Color3:000000
Last Election3:Did not exist
Seats Before3:1
Seats3:1
Leader4:No leader
Last Election4:1 seat
Seats Before4:1
Seats4:1
Leader5:None
Party5:Rise Up Australia Party
Last Election5:1 seat
Seats Before5:1
Seats5:1
Leader6:No leader
Party6:Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)
Last Election6:0
Seats Before6:0
Seats6:1
Seat Change6: 1
Leader7:Russell Bate
Party7:Country Alliance
Color7:566A33
Last Election7:1
Seats Before7:1
Seats7:0
Seat Change7: 1

The 2016 Victorian local elections were held on 22 October 2016 to elect the councils of the 79 local government areas in Victoria, Australia.[1] [2]

The elections saw the largest-ever amount of Greens councillors elected, with the party increasing their local government representatives from 17 to 29.[3] The Labor Party and Liberal Party did not endorse any candidates.[4]

Party changes before elections

A number of councillors joined or left parties before the 2016 elections.

Council Ward Councillor Former party New party Date
CampaspeKyabramRobert Danieli Independent Katter's AustralianNovember/December 2012
DarebinCazalyVince Fontana Labor Independent6 December 2012[5] [6]
DarebinCazalyVince Fontana Independent Mutual30 January 2014[7]
DarebinCazalyJulie Williams Independent Mutual30 January 2014
Glen EiraRosstownNeil Pilling Greens Independent20 May 2014[8]
DarebinLa TrobeGaetano Greco Labor IndependentPost-May 2014[9]
DarebinCazalyVince Fontana Mutual Independent2014
DarebinCazalyJulie Williams Mutual Independent2014
MorelandNorth-WestJohn Kavanagh Democratic Labour Independent2014
Moonee ValleyMyrnongCam Nation Independent Liberal No East West Link15 September 2014[10] [11]
MoyneUnsubdividedJames Purcell Independent Vote 1 Local JobsOctober 2014[12]
MoyneUnsubdividedJim Doukas Independent Country AllianceOctober 2014[13] [14]
Greater BendigoLockwoodElise Chapman Independent Country Alliance15 October 2014[15]
Greater GeelongAustinJohn Irvine Independent Country Alliance16 October 2014[16] [17]
Port PhillipAlbert ParkAmanda Stevens Labor Independent Labor26 February 2015[18]
Moonee ValleyMyrnongCam Nation No East West Link Independent2015
Greater BendigoLockwoodElise Chapman Country Alliance Independent2015
Greater GeelongAustinJohn Irvine Country Alliance Independent2015
Greater BendigoLockwoodElise Chapman Independent One Nation8 January 2016[19]
YarraLangridgeStephen Jolly Socialist The Socialists22 February 2016[20]
Moonee ValleyRose HillJohn Sipek Labor IndependentMid-2016[21]
DarebinCazalyJulie Williams Independent LaborPre-October 2016[22]

Results

See main article: Results of the 2016 Victorian local elections.

PartyVotes%SwingSeatsChange
 Independents
 Labor
 Liberal
 Burwood Liberals
 Greens29 11
 Independent National
 Team Doyle27,1163
 Together Melbourne6,5781
 Phil Cleary Means Business5,6671
 Stephen Mayne T.I.A.E.3,6660
 Team Morgan - A City That Works3,5571
 Strengthening Melbourne1,9050
 Listening To Locals1,7180
 An Indigenous Voice On Council1,5341 1
 Serving Melbourne With Integrity1,5190
 The Light On The Hill Team9600
 The Heritage Agenda8160
 Melburnian Voice8080
 Science820
 Liberal Democrats1 1
 The Socialists1 1
 Rise Up Australia1
 Socialist Alliance1
 Animal Justice0
 Independent Labor

Aftermath

On 8 November, Melbourne councillor-elect Brooke Wandin (An Indigenous Voice On Council) stood down from her position amid an investigation by the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate into her eligibility.[23] Wandin and former councillor Richard Foster were later charged with electoral fraud, with prosecutors alleging Wandin did not live at the Kensington address she had nominated when registering for election.[24] Both parties plead guilty to charges of electoral fraud; Foster received a 12-month good behaviour bond, while Wandin was placed onto a diversion program. Nic Frances Gilley was declared elected in Wandin's place.[25]

Additionally in Melbourne, Phil Cleary Means Business councillor Michael Caiafa lost his seat in March 2017 after it was determined he was not duly elected. Team Doyle's Susan Riley was declared elected in his place.[26]

In April 2017, hundreds of people reported receiving infringement notices for allegedly having not voted, despite claiming that they had.[27]

By-elections and countbacks

The Victorian Electoral Commission held a number of by-elections and countbacks to fill vacancies on councils after the 2016 elections up until the 2020 elections.

Casey City Council was sacked on 18 February 2020 before two countbacks could occur.[28]

By-elections

CouncilWardBeforeChangeResult after preference distribution
CouncillorPartyCauseDateDatePartyCandidate%
Northern GrampiansSouth WestSharon TelfordIndependentResignation5 October 201717 February 2018IndependentStephen Gardner52.17
IndependentChristine Fitzgerald47.83
PyreneesBeaufortMichael O'ConnorIndependentDeath15 May 201817 August 2018IndependentDamian Ferrari51.16
IndependentBarbara Blamey32.56
KnoxCollierJackson TaylorLaborElected to Victorian Parliament6 December 201830 March 2019IndependentMarcia Timmers-Leitch53.04
IndependentRobert Williams28.87
HepburnColibanSebastian KleinIndependentResignation18 December 20185 April 2019Ind. LaborLicia Kokocinski58.82
IndependentJohn McLaren41.18
Swan HillMurray-MalleeGary NortonIndependentResignation2 January 201929 March 2019IndependentNicole McKay63.61
IndependentAllen Ridgeway36.39
Swan HillRobinvaleJohn KatisIndependentResignation14 January 201929 March 2019Ind. NationalJade BenhamN/A
Elected unopposed
Surf CoastAngleseaLibby CokerLaborElection to Australian Parliament15 June 201930 August 2019IndependentTony Revell62.24
IndependentHarry Rosson37.76
MooraboolWoodlandsPat TooheyIndependentDeath19 September 201914 December 2019IndependentLawry Borgelt50.10
IndependentAlly Giofches36.88
StrathbogieHoneysuckle CreekKate StothersIndependentResignation24 December 201921 March 2020IndependentChris Raeburn53.29
IndependentTom Maher21.71
CorangamiteCentralWayne OakesIndependentDeath19 April 202027 June 2020IndependentGeraldine Conheadyn57.85
IndependentMichael Emerson42.15

Countbacks

CouncilWardBeforeChangeAfter
CouncillorPartyCauseDateDateCouncillorParty
QueenscliffeUnsubdividedHelene Cameron IndependentResignation2 November 201621 November 2016Bob Merriman Independent
MelbourneUnsubdividedBrooke Wandin Indigenous Voice On CouncilNot eligible to stand8 November 201614 March 2017Nic Frances Gilley Indigenous Voice On Council
East GippslandUnsubdividedLinette Treasure IndependentResignation16 January 201714 February 2017Jackson Roberts Independent
CaseyMayfieldRex Flannery IndependentResignation8 March 20173 April 2017Gary Rowe Liberal
MelbourneUnsubdividedMichael Caiafa Phil Cleary Means BusinessNot duly elected14 March 201714 March 2017Susan Riley Team Doyle
WhitehorseElgarTanya Tescher Burwood LiberalsResignation3 April 20179 May 2017Blair Barker  Burwood Liberals
WhittleseaNorthJohn Butler LiberalDeath6 September 20174 October 2017Tom Joseph Independent
WangarattaCityRuth Amer IndependentDeath5 October 201713 November 2017Ashlee Fitzpatrick Independent
WellingtonNorthernKeith Mills IndependentResignation23 October 201715 November 2017Carmel Ripper Independent
Mount AlexanderCastlemaineTony Bell IndependentResignation9 October 201722 November 2017Dave Petrusma Independent
MorelandSouthSamantha Ratnam GreensElected to Victorian Parliament11 October 201722 November 2017Jess Dorney Greens
AraratUnsubdividedPaul Hooper IndependentResignation1 November 201729 November 2017Bill Braithwaite Independent
MelbourneUnsubdividedTessa Sullivan Team DoyleResignation15 December 201715 January 2018Beverley Pinder-Mortimer Team Doyle
Mount AlexanderCastlemaineRobin Taylor IndependentResignation13 February 20187 March 2018Max Lesser Independent
AraratUnsubdividedGlenda McLean IndependentResignation20 April 201821 May 2018Fay Hull Independent
AraratUnsubdividedDarren Ford IndependentResignation9 May 20186 June 2018Frank Deutsch Independent
MaroondahWyreenaMichael Macdonald IndependentResignation25 June 201816 July 2018Tasa Damante Liberal
PyreneesBeaufortDarren Ford IndependentResignation9 May 20186 June 2018Frank Deutsch Independent
Colac OtwayUnsubdividedTerry Woodcroft IndependentResignation6 August 201827 August 2018Brian Crook Independent
South GippslandTarwin ValleyMaxine Kiel IndependentResignation26 September 201822 October 2018Rosemary Cousin Greens
Greater BendigoWhipstickJulie Hoskin IndependentResignation21 September 201823 October 2018Malcolm Pethybridge Independent
South GippslandTarwin ValleyMeg Edwards LiberalResignation30 October 20185 November 2018James Fawcett  Independent
MilduraUnsubdividedMax Thorburn IndependentDeath18 October 201813 November 2018Gavin Sedgmen Independent Liberal
DandenongPaperbarkMeng Heang Tak LaborElected to Victorian Parliament27 November 20188 January 2019Sophie Tan Labor
CorangamiteCentralBev McArthur LiberalElected to Victorian Parliament6 December 201818 December 2018Wayne Oakes Independent
MilduraUnsubdividedAli Cupper IndependentElected to Victorian Parliament7 December 201815 January 2019Helen Healy Independent
MaribyrnongStony CreekCatherine Cumming JusticeElected to Victorian Parliament11 December 201821 January 2019Megan Bridger-Darling Labor
Glen EiraTuckerNina Taylor LaborElected to Victorian Parliament12 December 20189 January 2019Anne-Marie Cade Independent
WodongaUnsubdividedTim Quilty Liberal DemocratsElected to Victorian Parliament12 December 201814 January 2019Brian Mitchell Independent
South GippslandStrzeleckiLorraine Brunt IndependentResignation28 February 20191 April 2019Frank Hirst Independent
South GippslandTarwin ValleyJames Fawcett  IndependentResignation28 February 20191 April 2019No candidate declared elected
South GippslandTarwin ValleyN/A N/ANo candidate declared elected3 April 20198 April 2019Steve Finlay Independent
YarraNichollsMike McEvoy GreensResignation3 April 20198 May 2019Bridgid O'Brien Victorian Socialists
South GippslandCoastal-PromontoryJeremy Rich IndependentResignation after drug charges22 April 201927 May 2019Matthew Sherry United Australia
MeltonCoburnMelissa De Santis IndependentResignation9 May 201912 June 2019Yvonne Sebire Independent
Surf CoastWinchelseaCarol McGregor IndependentResignation3 June 20192 July 2019James McIntyre Independent
BulokeLower AvocaJohn Shaw IndependentResignation13 August 201917 September 2019Bronwyn Simpson Independent
Greater BendigoWhipstickYvonne Wrigglesworth IndependentResignation12 September 20198 October 2019Susie Hawke Independent
Greater DandenongPaperbackRoz Blades LaborResignation12 October 201911 November 2019Peter Brown Independent
QueenscliffeUnsubdividedTony Francis IndependentResignation7 November 20192 December 2019Robert Minty Independent
StrathbogieLake NagambieDebra Bower IndependentResignation17 December 201920 January 2020Robert Gardner Independent
GannawarraPatchellMark Arians IndependentResignation3 February 202014 February 2020Jenny Fawcett Independent
GannawarraYarranSonia Wright IndependentResignation3 February 20202 March 2020Andrew Gibbs Independent
WarrnamboolUnsubdividedPeter Hulin IndependentResignation12 February 202011 March 2020Peter Sycopoulis Liberal
CaseySpringfieldRex Flannery IndependentResignation14 February 2020Council sacked before countback
CaseyEdringtonTimothy Jackson Independent LaborResignation14 February 2020Council sacked before countback
BrimbankGrasslandsLucinda Congreve IndependentResignation1 March 202030 March 2020Janev Aziz Independent
AraratUnsubdividedDavid Pettman IndependentResignation3 April 20207 May 2020Bernadine Atkinson Independent

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016 council election results . Victorian Electoral Commission . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206074746/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/results/council-election-results/2016-election-results . 6 February 2024.
  2. Web site: Victorian council elections 2016: everything you need to know . Herald Sun.
  3. Web site: VICTORIAN GREENS CELEBRATE RECORD-BREAKING COUNCIL ELECTIONS . Victorian Greens.
  4. Web site: Schneiders . Ben . Millar . Royce . Labor in bid to claw back local heartland lost to Greens . The Age . 12 October 2024 . 12 November 2017.
  5. Web site: Schetzer . Alana . Darebin's Fontana dumps Labor . Issuu . Melbourne Times Weekly . 12 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140318043945/http://issuu.com:80/theweeklyreview.com.au/docs/melbournetimesweekly121212 . 18 March 2014 . 11 December 2012 . Cr Fontana, who was re-elected to council in October, wrote his letter of resignation to state secretary Noah Carroll on December 6, relinquishing his membership immediately..
  6. Web site: Taylor . Josh . Batman begins: Darebin councillors join the fray . Crikey . 12 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210310055719/https://www.crikey.com.au/2016/06/29/darebin-council-declares-its-loyalties-in-batman/ . 10 March 2021 . 29 June 2016 . Fontana left the Labor Party in 2012, saying at the time he "could no longer be associated with the party at any level".
  7. Web site: Irwin . Julia . Darebin councillor Vince Fontana among former mayors getting ready for state election . Northcote Leader . 12 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241112223534/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/inner-east/darebin-councillor-vince-fontana-among-former-mayors-getting-ready-for-state-election/news-story/961b10360d795909780dee1031c7fafa?amp&nk=1faf7d1f761456994ba44052a696e065-1731450949 . 12 November 2024 . 30 January 2014.
  8. Web site: Kellett . Andrea . Glen Eira’s first Greens mayor Neil Pilling cuts party ties . Herald Sun . 12 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241112225026/https://gleneira.blog/2014/05/20/conservatory/ . 12 November 2024 . 20 May 2014.
  9. Web site: Irwin . Julia . Darebin Mayor brands Labor rates cap policy 'populist politics' . Herald Sun . Northcote Leader . 12 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241112233226/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/darebin-mayor-brands-labor-rates-cap-policy-populist-politics-/news-story/90f356179cf46987346d69a6d26cd62a?amp&nk=ae51751398ef99493da5d1700c810ce3-1731454364 . 12 November 2024 . 21 May 2014 . Cr Greco said he was concerned now the Labor Party, of which he was a member, had announced the policy, the Liberals would also adopt the idea..
  10. Web site: Wallace . Rick . Melbourne's East West link drives wedge through the middle . The Australian . 12 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241112223925/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/melbournes-east-west-link-drives-wedge-through-the-middle/news-story/94c862482901e68da2ca209e738f86b8?amp&nk=7993af7ac592c4f5d9973cb9581e97e6-1731451181 . 12 November 2024 . 16 September 2014.
  11. Web site: Lucas . Clay . Anti-East West Link councillor's ties to Liberal Party questioned . The Age . 12 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231201040339/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/antieast-west-link-councillors-ties-to-liberal-party-questioned-20140915-10h37g.html . 1 December 2023 . 15 September 2014.
  12. Web site: Begg . Peter . Vote 1 Local Jobs party's James Purcell elected to Upper House . Geelong Advertiser . 12 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241112223642/https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/vote-1-local-jobs-partys-james-purcell-elected-to-upper-house/news-story/f90e8a20346bb9c2705d8c43f4a6b12d?amp&nk=91dd4e450f22fca607eaf64510bdbf96-1731451020 . 12 November 2024 . 16 December 2014.
  13. Web site: McComish . Sean . Doukas wins third term as mayor . The Standard . 12 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241112225609/https://www.standard.net.au/story/525282/doukas-wins-third-term-as-mayor/ . 12 November 2024 . 2 November 2012.
  14. 656656626594611200 . CountryAlliance . Vote 1, Jim Doukas . 2015-10-21 . Country Alliance . https://archive.today/20241112225340/https://mobile.x.com/CountryAlliance/status/656656626594611200 . 2024-11-12.
  15. Web site: Bendigo councillor Elise Chapman to run for Country Alliance in Bendigo West . ABC News . 12 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161101034206/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-16/bendigo-councillor-elise-chapman-to-run-for/5817536 . 1 November 2016 . 16 October 2014.
  16. Web site: ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL . City of Greater Geelong . 12 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241112230039/https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/common/Public/Documents/8d1b84038e40fd9-Council%20Minutes%20-%2014%20October%202014.pdf . 12 November 2024 . 14 October 2014.
  17. Web site: Bellarine – Victoria 2014 . The Tally Room . 12 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208022924/https://www.tallyroom.com.au/archive/vic2014/bellarine2014 . 8 February 2020.
  18. Web site: Willingham . Richard . Michael Danby challenger Amanda Stevens banned for Labor 'disloyalty' . The Age . 12 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241112224556/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/michael-danby-challenger-amanda-stevens-banned-for-labor-disloyalty-20150226-13paa9.html . 12 November 2024 . 26 February 2015.
  19. Web site: Lenaghan . Peter . Bendigo anti-mosque protester Elise Chapman named as lead One Nation candidate for Victoria . ABC News . 12 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205141245/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-08/bendigo-anti-mosque-protester-named-as-one-nation-candidate/7075768 . 5 December 2022 . 8 January 2016.
  20. Web site: Preiss . Benjamin . Stephen Jolly leads mass resignation from Socialist Party over allegations of abuse cover-up . The Age . 12 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20240922124153/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/stephen-jolly-leads-mass-resignation-from-socialist-party-over-allegations-of-abuse-coverup-20160223-gn1d75.html . 22 September 2024 . 23 February 2016.
  21. Web site: Stuchbery . Madeleine . Moonee Valley councillors to make public their travel claims and donations . Herald Sun . Moonee Valley Leader . 12 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241112232754/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/moonee-valley-councillors-to-make-public-their-party-affiliation-travel-claims-and-donations/news-story/616ac296c2582df66f86f07aeb817478?amp&nk=acab7791f6e7d38a1588e2022063cde0-1731454092 . 12 November 2024 . 7 March 2018.
  22. Web site: Schelle . Caroline . Greens ready to take control of new-look Darebin Council . Herald Sun . Preston Leader . 12 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241112231536/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/greens-ready-to-take-control-of-newlook-darebin-council/news-story/e3652236ecbf248a082a98f291a01406?amp&nk=76a6e87852daa652eeafb46825c4034d-1731453388 . 12 November 2024 . 31 October 2016.
  23. News: Indigenous Melbourne City Councillor Brooke Wandin stands down amid questions about eligibility . 3 May 2020 . ABC News . 8 November 2016.
  24. News: Melbourne Council candidates Brooke Wandin, Richard Foster charged with electoral fraud . 3 May 2020 . ABC News . 13 December 2016.
  25. News: Younger . Emma . Former Melbourne councillor avoids conviction over illegal nomination . 3 May 2020 . ABC News . 19 April 2018.
  26. Web site: City of Melbourne councillor Michael Caiafa loses seat in unprecedented decision . The Age.
  27. Web site: Victorians dispute fines for not voting in 2016 local government elections . ABC News.
  28. Web site: Casey councillors desert ship as investigator recommends their sacking . The Age.

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