Politics
Templestowe Voters Get Candidate Positions on Rates, Bus Routes Before Election
Voters will receive candidate responses on council rates, bus routes and waste collection before the September municipal election.
How we reported this
The Templestowe Candidate Disclosure Ordinance, approved by the city council on June 20, requires every candidate for the September municipal election to submit written answers to 12 questions on local services by July 15.
The ordinance applies to the 12 council seats up for election and covers topics such as annual property rates, frequency of rubbish collection and funding for the Templestowe bus network. Council records list 47,200 registered voters who will receive the responses through the municipal website and printed mailers.
Daily Costs and Service Schedules
Residents who pay the current average annual rates bill of $2,180 will see candidate statements on whether rates should rise by the 3.1 percent projected in the 2026 budget papers. The responses must also address proposed changes to the twice-weekly waste collection that serves 19,400 households in the central wards.
Policy analysts note that candidates must state their position on the $4.2 million allocation for bus route extensions listed in the transport section of the same budget. This requirement gives households that rely on the 7:15 a.m. service to the industrial estate a direct comparison of each candidate’s view on maintaining or cutting that funding.
Next Steps for Voters
The legislation states that all submissions will be posted online on July 18 and discussed at three public forums scheduled for August 4, 11 and 18 at the Templestowe community centre. The government projects that printed versions will reach every household by July 25.
Council staff will verify that each response addresses the required questions before publication. Residents who wish to compare the statements can request paper copies by calling the elections office at the number listed on the council website.