FIFTY-five candidates are standing in next month’s election for the nine seats on Kingston Council.
There are 14 candidates for the three seats in Central ward, 18 in North and 13 in South.
Seven of the nine current serving councillors are seeking re-election.
Crs Paul Peulich (North ward) and John Ronke (South ward) are not standing, although the Peulich family will remain a force within the council if Savo Peulich succeeds his son in North ward.
Savo Peulich, who is married to South Eastern Metropolitan Region Liberal MP Inga Peulich, says the city needs “electoral reform to break the back of voting blocs” which have been hurting the municipality.
His son Paul says his eight years on council has been “a substantial commitment; it’s a large chunk of a person’s life”.
He said he has recently completed post-graduate business studies and was finalising contracts and developing an import and export business.
Cr Peulich said the slow pace of achieving outcomes and a negative culture within Kingston Council made him realise “I might get more done outside [of council]”.
Cr Peulich said he had not ruled out entering state or federal politics and would “see how the next year or so goes – there are obviously opportunities at the federal level”.
Regarding his father Savo’s bid for election to council, Cr Peulich said: “He’s run previously and has always been interested in politics. By running he gives voters a choice.”
The postal election is being run by the Victorian Electoral Council and ballots must be in the mail by 6pm Friday 21 October or hand delivered to the election office, 7/18-20 Bond St, Mordialloc (open 9am-5pm weekdays excluding public holidays).
Candidates’ details and their statements are at www.vec.vic.gov.au/KingstonElection/Candidates/
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 28 September 2016