Victorian local government elections will go ahead in October as planned.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After another round of speculation they would be delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Victorian Local Government Minister Shaune Leane confirmed they would remain on the original timeline.
His decision was guided by advice from the state's Chief Health Officer, Professor Brett Sutton.
Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie had previously expressed a desire to see the elections delayed, but accepted the government's decision.
She is still refusing to declare whether she will seek re-election.
"Our regions will actually hurt going to elections because of everything we are dealing with at the moment," she said.
"It is what, what it is.
"No the decision has been made I will need to sit down and discuss it with my family."
A set of safe campaigning guidelines have been developed in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services to help candidates follow Professor Sutton's directions and health advice during the campaign.
The guidelines include advice on how to safely conduct permitted campaign activities, safety for campaign teams, hygiene and physical distancing.
The government has also launched its candidate training course online, which all prospective candidates will need to complete.
It covers how councils are run,support available to councillors, the councillor code of conduct, conflict of interest guidelines and election donation rules.