The first-term councillor will be the lead candidate for the Liberal Democrats for Northern Victoria in what will be his third shot at higher office.

Cr Quilty will take leave of absence from council in the lead-up to the election and if successful with his upper house aspirations he will quit and force a comeback to come up with a replacement on council.

But if he falls short he will be back for the mayoral vote which has been pushed back as a result of the state election.

Cr Quilty said the upper house rather than a challenge to Benambra MLA Bill Tilley was his best chance of entering state parliament.

“When I’ve run for the lower house I’ve known I haven't been in with a shot, but the upper house is a possibility,” he said.

“If the minor party preferences flow together there will be at least one minor party candidate get elected in this region.

“Depending on what happens with the major party vote it could be more than one so there will be at least someone from a minor party and that may be me.”

Meanwhile, Liberal preselection for Indi is due to officially open within a matter of days.

The Victorian Liberal Party’s administrative committee agreed to open preselection in Indi late last week, but no official announcement has been made to date.

Indi Liberals chairman Tony Schneider confirmed the party’s candidate would be elected by the members rather than head office.

Liberal Sophie Mirabella has lost the last two elections to Cathy McGowan.