Further countback required for Surf Coast Shire Council
Thursday 30 October 2025
For immediate release
A further countback will be conducted for Surf Coast Shire Council’s Torquay Ward after the successful candidate did not lodge a written declaration of qualification to be a councillor.
A countback conducted on Tuesday 28 October resulted in Eric Menogue receiving enough votes to be elected, however Mr Menogue did not return the declaration within 48 hours.
Under the Local Government Act 2020, the VEC cannot declare a candidate elected until they complete a declaration stating they are still qualified to be a councillor.
The VEC will hold a further countback of all formal votes from the 2024 Surf Coast Shire Council, Torquay Ward election on Wednesday 5 November.
Votes will be redistributed to candidates who were unsuccessful in 2024 but are still eligible to be elected.
The countback is based on the proportional representation method of counting, which means candidates must achieve a proportion of votes known as a quota.
The vacancy occurred after the resignation of Councillor Rebecca Bourke.
Candidates and other interested parties can watch the countback online. A link to join the countback will be available from 10am on Wednesday 5 November at vec.vic.gov.au.
The result will be announced through a media release and published on the VEC website.