Sunbury and Macedon Ranges councillors have echoed the Victorian Local Governance Association’s calls for more women to stand as candidates in October’s council elections.
With women comprising fewer than 35 per cent of the state’s 631 councillors, the association is campaigning to increase the level of female representation this year.
GoWomenLG 2016 urges women involved in community life to consider standing and calls on councillors and local government employees to share information about how the system works.
Hume mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou said women were under-represented in council chambers.
Just three of Hume’s 11 councillors are female.
‘‘We should have at least five women on council if our decision makers are truly and fairly representing the make-up of our community,’’ she said.
Two of the nine Macedon Ranges councillors are women.
Cr Sally Piper said female councillors could provide different and valuable perspectives.
‘‘That’s why we want gender equality,’’ she said. “Generally, councils are great at supporting women in local government.
“There’s childcare rebates and so on. Women need to realise there is support and flexibility there.’’
Cr Piper urged anyone with experience at board level to put their hand up.
‘‘We want experienced people who are used to dealing with budgets and making big decisions.’’
