By Parker McKenzie
The Streeton Ward by-election will be held in early 2022 following the surprise resignation of Councillor Cathrine Burnett-Wake.
Yarra Ranges Council has informed the Victorian Electoral Commission of her resignation and it’s expected the election will be held within 150 days.
Ms Burnett-Wake has triggered the by-election when she accepted a Liberal party vacancy in the Eastern Victoria electorate of the Legislative Council following Edward O’Donohue’s resignation in September.
Incoming Mayor of Yarra Ranges Council Jim Child said that people in the Streeton Ward should contact council about any issues they have prior to the by-election.
“We don’t want any residents to feel they are unrepresented through this period until the by-election,” Mayor Child said.
“Myself, the deputy mayor or one of us as councillors will be available for anyone who wants to contact us as though we were their normal councillor.”
Ms Burnett-Wake won by 3.08 per cent of the vote in the 2020 Council elections, after the distribution of preferences gave her 5279 votes to Andrew Fulligan’s 4964.
Mr Fulligan said he is unsure if he will run in a by-election so soon after the 2020 general council elections.
“I’m considering my options about it,” he said.
“On one hand I’d love to do it, but on the other I’d have to talk it over with my family and think about it.”
Yarra Ranges Council last held a by-election in 2015 when Samantha Dunn won the Eastern Metropolitan seat in the Victorian Upper House.
“As far as the election itself it will be a normal process just like the 2020 elections,” Mayor Child said.
“There will only be one election for the ward when there were nine previously so it will probably be a simple process.”
Ms Burnett-Wake was approached for comment.
