THE Victorian Electoral Commission advised Mr Oakes of his return to the role after the election of Bev McArthur to the State Legislative Council led to a vacancy in the multi-councillor ward.

Mrs McArthur’s replacement was chosen by a countback of the past Local Government election results as per electoral regulations.

Mr Oakes, who served as a Councillor from 2012 to 2016, said a number of community issues were foremost in his mind.

“Community safety is the top priority and I will advocate strongly for action on mobile coverage blackspots and roadside vegetation safety which were major issues during the St Patrick’s Day Fires,” he said.

“I will also advocate strongly for the urgent action we need from the State Government to bring the VicRoads network up to an acceptable standard for the safety of our communities. That includes the Great Ocean Road North South Loop and heavy vehicle routes including the Princes Highway West.”

Mr Oakes is expected to be sworn in as a Councillor in the coming days and to be inducted ahead of the ordinary meeting at Camperdown’s Killara Centre on January 22. 

Mr Oakes, a Camperdown resident, said he was looking forward to representing the people of Central Ward and Corangamite Shire.

"I want to serve the community which is all I ever wanted to do,” he said. “I'm just keen to be back part of the Shire team because I had such a good experience last time.”