Statement from Mayor Cr Anne-Marie Cade on an extraordinary vacancy in Camden Ward

Glen Eira City Council CEO Rebecca McKenzie has written to the Minister for Local Government and the Victorian Electoral Commission to notify them of an extraordinary vacancy on Council following the passing of Camden Ward Councillor Dr David Zyngier on Sunday.

As I said on Sunday, Cr Zyngier’s passing is a great loss for Council. Cr Zyngier never shied away from asking the big questions. 

As we mourn this loss, we also have a legislative responsibility to ensure Glen Eira has nine Councillors to provide good governance to our City.  

The Local Government Act 2020 (the Act) requires a countback as the first method of filling an extraordinary vacancy in multi-councillor wards.  

Countbacks fill the vacancy in proportion to the support each candidate has in the electorate that elected the vacating councillor. If there is no eligible candidate, then a by-election will be held. 

The Victorian Electoral Commission’s (VEC) electronic counting equipment and systems will be used to conduct the countback.  

We now await advice from the Victorian Electoral Commission on appointing an election manager.  

Any further queries can be directed to Council’s CEO or the Victorian Electoral Commission.