Voting is more than just a civic responsibility – it is a powerful way to shape the future of where you live.
And the 2024 City of Greater Geelong elections present an interesting opportunity for Ocean Grove residents, following a recent ward restructure.
Rather than four wards with 11 councillors, our next 11 councillors will each represent a single ward covering an area of Greater Geelong.
Instead of the Bellarine ward, we will have three new wards across the Bellarine Peninsula: Connewarre, Murradoc and Leopold.
The new Connewarre ward, named after one of the localities it covers, also includes the towns of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.
This means the next councillor you elect will represent Barwon Heads, Connewarre and Ocean Grove as your voice on council.
They will vote on the council projects, policies and services that impact daily life for everyone in your community.
The City of Greater Geelong is set to deliver almost $400 million of services in the 2024-25 financial year.
This includes maintaining essential infrastructure such as local roads, footpaths and public spaces like parks, gardens and sports facilities.
The City of Greater Geelong also collects and processes rubbish and recycling, and manages pools, recreation facilities, childcare centres, youth and community hubs and other facilities.
Council plays an important role in how we prioritise this spending, helping to ensure these services meet the community’s needs.
This is why it is important that you vote for the candidate you believe will best represent you.
Nominations for council closed on Tuesday, meaning the City of Greater Geelong has entered the election period – commonly referred to as ‘caretaker period’.
And this is why I am speaking to you now instead of a councillor.
During the caretaker period, the City of Greater Geelong cannot publish any material featuring our councillors, including media releases and statements or councillor columns – like this one.
Many of our current councillors are running for office again, and featuring them in City-issued columns could give them an unfair advantage over other candidates.
Instead, the chief executive officer – or acting CEO in my case – must act as chief spokesperson for council until the caretaker period ends.
The caretaker period also means hitting pause on any major council decisions, until we have the next group of councillors sworn in.
This makes sure that your representatives, councillors, vote on our budget, major infrastructure projects and other important decisions on behalf of you, the community.
Which again, brings me back to the importance of voting, which will take place exclusively via postal ballot this election.
The Victorian Election Commission will mail ballot packs to all enrolled voters beginning 7 October and voting closes on 25 October.
So please make your voice heard this election and have your say on how your city is run.
For more information visit: vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2024-local-council-elections/greater-geelong-city-council
