Victorian ratepayers are facing unexpected financial burdens as the cost of replacing local councillors who resign early has surged dramatically. This financial strain follows a shift in local government structures that has increased the cost of filling vacancies by more than 100-fold.
The Age has uncovered that recent byelections in Darebin, Whittlesea, and Wodonga have cost local communities between $130,000 and $180,000 per vacancy, a stark contrast to the approximately $1,000 it cost under the previous system. These expenses are an unintended consequence of the transition to “single member wards,” which was implemented during the 2024 local council elections.
Understanding the New System
Under the earlier system, larger wards were represented by multiple councillors. If a vacancy arose, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) could conduct a “countback” of existing votes to elect the next candidate, costing roughly $1,000. However, the new single-member ward structure, where only one person represents each area, prevents a countback due to the use of preferential voting over proportional systems.
“This means that if a vacancy occurs, it is not possible to then elect another candidate from the same pool of votes, meaning a byelection is required,” a VEC spokesman explained.
Financial Impact on Communities
The financial impact of these changes has been significant. In 2025, Whittlesea faced a byelection cost of $183,537, Wodonga $140,000, and Darebin $131,327. Despite these high costs, voter turnout in single-ward contests is generally lower than during general elections. For instance, Darebin’s August byelection saw a turnout of 76.22%, down from 81.57% in the 2024 general election.
The changes have sparked criticism, particularly from the Victorian Ratepayers and Residents Association. Secretary Tanya Tescher argued that it is “obviously not fair that the cost of an expensive byelection be shunted onto local ratepayers,” calling for legislative reform to revert to the previous system.
Controversial Changes and Criticism
The introduction of single-member wards was spearheaded by then-local government minister Adem Somyurek, a former Labor factional powerbroker. The changes have been controversial, with critics pointing to the increased financial burden on local communities.
In Whittlesea, a byelection triggered by a scandal involving vote tampering cost the community $183,537. City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd noted that the council absorbed these costs, while an additional $39,292 was recovered by the VEC to contest the initial election outcome. Another byelection is imminent following the resignation of councillor Nic Brooks, who cited workload pressures and the financial impact on ratepayers as concerns.
“I mean, you don’t want decisions that you make to have negative impact on ratepayers,” Brooks said. “That doesn’t seem like a fair cost for ratepayers, really … because these things are gonna happen.”
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
In Darebin, the death of veteran councillor Gaetano Greco led to a $131,327 byelection. Both Whittlesea and Darebin leadership view these elections as unforeseen events, highlighting the cost-shifting burdens from the state government that local councils must bear.
Meanwhile, Bendigo residents are preparing for an upcoming byelection after councillor John McIlrath resigned to focus on his business. Wodonga Council also faced a $140,000 byelection after councillor Hannah Seymour resigned to move closer to her support network outside Victoria. Seymour expressed regret over the financial impact on her community, while McIlrath acknowledged the costs but noted that government entities often disregard financial concerns.
“Of course it weighs on you. But at the same point, have a look at all the governments around – they don’t care about costs. They just throw it away,” McIlrath commented.
The move to single-member wards was initially proposed in 2019 and passed through the Victorian parliament with bipartisan support. However, the increased workload and financial implications have led some, like McIlrath, to question the viability of the system.
As communities continue to grapple with these changes, the debate over local governance structures and their financial implications remains a pressing issue for Victorian ratepayers.
