Thirteen Candidates Announced for Kingston City Council Melaleuca Ward Postal By-Election

The short answer

Thirteen Candidates Announced for Kingston City Council Melaleuca Ward Postal By-Election

Thirteen candidates have successfully nominated in the Kingston City Council Melaleuca Ward postal by-election, the Victorian Electoral Commission announced on Thursday 25 June 2026. The candidates, listed in ballot paper order, are: Nikki Kaur, Louise Black, Peter Brown, Llewellyn Dixon-Mason, Glenn Dumbrell, Hayden Davies, Gavin Nolan, David Baker, Brian Paynter, Nicholas Bufalo, Bronwyn Currie, Joe Crupi, and Lachlan McDonald. Candidate statements and photos are available on the VEC website, and ballot packs will be mailed to all enrolled voters from Monday 13 July 2026, with voting closing at 6 pm on Friday 31 July 2026.

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The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

The candidate list in full

The Victorian Electoral Commission confirmed that thirteen candidates successfully nominated for the Melaleuca Ward by-election before nominations closed at 12 noon on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The candidates are listed below in the order they will appear on the ballot paper, as determined by the VEC:

1. KAUR, Nikki — A community volunteer and Occupational Health and Safety professional who has served on primary and secondary school councils for nine years. Her platform includes sustainable growth, upgraded parks, support for local businesses, affordable childcare, and pensioner assistance.

2. BLACK, Louise — A Melaleuca resident and wildlife rescuer with experience in civil construction and water infrastructure. She is campaigning as a 'practical, independent voice' focused on neighbourhood character protection, responsible spending, community safety, and traffic congestion on McDonald Street.

3. BROWN, Peter — A life-long Kingston resident with Commerce and Law degrees from Melbourne University and a Masters in Law from Monash University. A former secondary school teacher at Parkdale Secondary College, he opposes the introduction of a third bin system and advocates for Council to actively apply Kingston Structure Plan protections against overdevelopment.

4. DIXON-MASON, Llewellyn — A 32-year married father of two who worked in hospitality, office automation, and the Melbourne train network. He is running as a non-partisan candidate prioritising value for ratepayers, local employment, small business support, and lower rates for those most in need.

5. DUMBRELL, Glenn — The long-time Parkdale butcher who says he has 'gotten to know thousands of people in our community.' He is campaigning against what he describes as wasteful spending and excessive rates, positioning himself as an accessible candidate 'available every day across the butcher shop counter.'

6. DAVIES, Hayden — A Parkdale local and father of two young children currently studying to become a paramedic. He is focused on strengthening local infrastructure, supporting safe neighbourhoods, and ensuring community voices are genuinely heard with a fresh, practical perspective.

7. NOLAN, Gavin — A former local government worker with 25 years' experience organising activities for seniors. He has pledged to return a significant portion of his councillor allowance — $50,000 over two years — to local food relief groups, sporting clubs, and seniors organisations.

8. BAKER, David — A Parkdale resident of 42 years and former Head of Criminology at Monash University with experience at the Victoria Police Academy. He holds a PhD and is a long-time cricket volunteer. His platform centres on community safety, supporting young people, and local recreation and arts.

9. PAYNTER, Brian — A former Member of Victorian Parliament, Chartered Accountant, and small business owner. A local resident born at the former Mordialloc Hospital, he brings parliamentary and financial experience and is focused on responsible financial management and protecting local amenities.

10. BUFALO, Nicholas — A Melbourne University graduate with a career in television production and a business owner since 1999. He volunteers on the Board of Management of the Mordialloc Theatre Company and emphasises financial discipline, community connections, and balancing cultural investment with essential services.

11. CURRIE, Bronwyn — Running on a 'Back to Basics: Rates, Roads, Rubbish and Respect' platform. She has experience in public service, consultancy, family business management, board governance, and community volunteer organisations. She advocates for practical leadership free of 'destructive politics.'

12. CRUPI, Joe — A local born and raised in the area who attended Parkdale Secondary College and now owns a small business. He is running as an independent focused on reducing unessential spending, fixing potholes, supporting small business, expanding services for the elderly, and protecting neighbourhood character from inappropriate overdevelopment.

13. MCDONALD, Lachlan — A Parkdale resident of 20 years who has raised two daughters in the area. His platform includes better parking in Mordialloc, cleaner streets, improved rubbish collection, well-maintained roads, quality parks, and responsible financial management, summed up as 'Less politics. More action.'

Evidence review

One candidate retired

In accordance with regulation 27 of the Local Government (Electoral) Regulations 2020, the VEC announced that Brendan Jon Lenarcic has been retired from the ballot. The Election Manager, Sally Joy, published the notice of retirement on 25 June 2026, confirming that the retired candidate's name will not appear on any ballot material for the Kington City Council Melaleuca Ward by-election.

Evidence review

Where to find candidate information

Candidate statements, photos, and questionnaire responses are all available on the VEC website at vec.vic.gov.au through the Kingston Melaleuca Ward by-election page. The VEC notes that candidate statements are provided directly by the candidates and the election manager does not verify or endorse any candidate statements. Voters should direct any questions about candidate statements to the candidates themselves.

Candidates who are endorsed by a registered political party may indicate this in their questionnaire responses. Information on registered party names and abbreviations is available on the VEC's Currently Registered Parties page. However, the majority of candidates in this by-election are running as independent or unaffiliated candidates. Voters can also find candidate contact details including email addresses and mobile phone numbers on the VEC nominations page to directly reach out to candidates with questions.

Evidence review

What happens next: ballot packs and voting

With candidates now confirmed, the VEC will prepare and mail ballot packs to all voters who were correctly enrolled for Melaleuca Ward by the close of roll at 4 pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026. Ballot packs will be mailed from Monday 13 July 2026. Election Manager Sally Joy advised voters to act promptly once they receive their ballot material.

'Post or hand deliver your completed ballot pack by the deadline to make your vote count,' Ms Joy said. 'Voting closes at 6 pm on Friday 31 July, but our advice is to not leave it to the last minute.' Voters will need to complete their ballot paper by numbering every box in order of preference, seal it in the ballot paper envelope, complete the declaration, and return it in the reply-paid envelope provided.

Evidence review

Voting is compulsory

Voting in the Kingston City Council Melaleuca Ward by-election is compulsory for all voters who were enrolled at 4 pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026. This includes both state-enrolled voters — Australian citizens aged 18 or over living in Melaleuca Ward — and council-enrolled voters such as non-resident owner ratepayers, corporate representatives, and non-citizen ratepayers who pay rates on Melaleuca Ward properties.

Voters who do not vote and do not have a valid excuse may be fined. The VEC sends apparent failure to vote notices to non-voters after each election. Those who receive such a notice can either provide a valid reason for not voting or pay the prescribed penalty.

Evidence review

Key dates for voters

Voters should note the following critical dates: Ballot packs will be mailed from Monday 13 July 2026. If you have not received your ballot pack by Tuesday 21 July 2026, you should call 131 832 during business hours to arrange a replacement. Voters who will be away or whose address has changed since the close of roll can request a ballot pack redirection by using the online form at vec.vic.gov.au/redirections or calling 131 832.

All completed ballot material must be in the mail or hand delivered to the election office at 1230 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham by 6 pm on Friday 31 July 2026. Voters are advised to check their local mail clearance times, as these could be earlier than 6 pm or earlier in the week. The election office is open on weekdays for hand delivery of completed ballot packs.

Common questions

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