The MAV is calling on the state government to defer council elections

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has urged the state government to defer elections due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corangamite Mayor Neil Trotter said the council hadn't recently discussed the matter but earlier this year it was in favour of the elections proceeding.

"Personally I'd prefer the election went ahead, there's pros and cons for doing both ways," he said.

"There'd be a number of councillors, and I'm one of them, looking to get out (with) this election."

Cr Trotter said the majority of elections would be done by postal vote and he didn't think the pandemic would put off people from standing for council.

"We've just had a by-election here and that was one of the strongest fields we've had for a long time," he said.

He said although the social restrictions would impact on how candidates could campaign, everyone would be in the same boat.

"It is going to be a difficult time for councils going into this period, money for grants is going to be tight so they're going to have the job in front of them but that's going to be the same for any council."

Moyne Shire Mayor Daniel Meade said council made a submission in April that the elections should go ahead and it had not discussed changing that position.

MAV deputy president rural and Corangamite Shire councillor Ruth Gstrein said many rural and regional councils had highlighted concerns that some wards may not even have candidates prepared to run for election in the current environment.

The MAV is calling on the government to follow the New South Wales state government which has delayed its council elections until September 2021.

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