NOMINATIONS for the Mansfield Shire Council election have now closed, with nine candidates confirmed after last week's ballot draw.

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) conducted the public ballot draw at the Mansfield Election Office at 10am last Wednesday, officially confirming the order of candidates.

The line-up includes a mix of familiar faces and fresh contenders.

Bonnie Clark, Michael Whytcross, Nick Cooper, Kammy Cordner Hunt, Tim Berenyi, and Mandy Treasure are all vying for a seat on council.

Current councillors Mayor Cr Steve Rabie, Cr James Tehan, and Cr Rohan Webb have thrown their hats back in the ring, seeking re-election.

In a surprising turn, Deputy Mayor Cr Mark Holcombe was absent from this year’s nominations.

Meanwhile, Cr Paul Sladdin has decided to step away after serving the shire for multiple terms.

The last local government election in 2020 was the first in Mansfield Shire without the ward structure.

Previously, since de-amalgamation from the Delatite Shire in 2002, the shire had two councillors from within the Mansfield ward, and one each from Bonnie Doon, Tolmie, and Jamieson wards.

The last local government election in Mansfield Shire saw 14 candidates vie for a spot on council – five more than this year.

Across Victoria, reports indicate a growing trend of uncontested elections due to fewer candidates, with upwards of 40 wards seeing candidates secure seats unopposed due to a lack of competition.

Despite this trend, the Mansfield Shire election remains competitive, and neighbouring shires appear to be similar.

Strathbogie Shire, whose last council was suspended in December 2023 and placed under administration until the next election, will have a new electoral structure.

The shire will shift from a five-ward system with seven councillors to an unsubdivided structure, still with seven councillors.

There are 15 candidates running for those positions.

In Murrindindi Shire, a total of 16 candidates are contesting, with multiple candidates running in all seven wards.

Benalla Rural City, like Strathbogie, has seven vacancies and no ward structure, with 15 candidates competing for the available positions.

Wellington and Baw Baw Shires also have a healthy number of candidates across their three wards, competing for nine vacancies each.

In Yarra Ranges, while most wards have multiple candidates, two of its nine wards have single candidates who will be elected unopposed.

This year’s election will be conducted entirely by mail, with ballot packs being posted out from October 7, containing a ballot paper and candidate statements.

Voting closes at 6pm on Friday, October 25, and all postal votes must be received by the VEC by noon on Friday, November 1.