Hume, Whittlesea hopefuls eye council spots

Forty-seven candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for the Hume council election, with 36 people set to contest the Whittlesea election.
Both councils have 11 vacancies.
In Hume, current councillors Casey Nunn, Helen Patsikatheodorou, Vic Dougall and Jack Ogilvie have announced they will not be seeking re-election.
In a video posted to Facebook following the close of nominations on Tuesday, Cr Nunn said she had intended to contest the election, but had been offered a new opportunity that was “just too good to refuse” and gave her the opportunity to help more people.
Councillors Patsikatheodorou, Dougall and Ogilvie announced their decisions to stand down from council last week.
Close to half of Hume’s candidates have nominated for Aitken ward, with 20 people contesting four positions.
Fourteen people have nominated for the four positions in Meadow Valley ward, while Jacksons Creek voters have 13 candidates from which to chose.
Two current Whittlesea councillors – Rex Griffin and Adrian Spinelli – have also decided not to contest the election.
Eight people have nominated for Whittlesea’s north ward, in which there are three vacancies.
There are 12 candidates vying for four positions in the south-east ward and 16 people will contest four vacancies in south-west ward.
Postal elections will be held next month for both councils, with ballot packs sent out to voters from October 4-6.
Ballot packs needs to be completed and returned by 6pm on Friday, October 21, when voting closes.
Packs can also be returned to the Whittlesea election office at Waterlily Room, Council Offices, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang, or to the Hume election office, Broadmeadows Town Hall, 1079 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows. Both offices are open 9am-5pm on week days.
For a full list of the Hume candidates, visit: www.vec.vic.gov.au/HumeElection/Candidates
For a full list of the Whittlesea candidates, visit: www.vec.vic.gov.au/WhittleseaElection/Candidates