Yarra For All, a political party in Yarra, has been performing well in the elections so far, but the final outcome is uncertain until Group B votes, a batch of postal ballots counted after the deadline, are tallied. In Darebin, which includes areas like Northcote and Reservoir, the Greens have traditionally held three out of nine council seats, but this time around they are only in a competitive position to win in two wards, with Labor currently leading in six. Despite this, the Greens have managed to secure wins in different councils across the state, with six candidates already claiming victory.
In Monash, the Greens have lost two council seats, with former Greens councillors who left the party now running as independents and likely to retain their positions. In Merri-bek, the Greens are still in a competitive position, with several current councillors vying for re-election. Meanwhile, in Boroondara, there has been a noticeable shift away from the Liberal Party towards pro-environment “teal” independents, resulting in only one Liberal member likely to be left on the council. This change has been described as a rebuke of major party politics in local government.
Recent election results in Boroondara suggest a significant change, with a shift towards more climate-action-positive candidates. Independent candidates, including Teal candidate Sophie Torney, are likely to win in several wards, pushing out current councillors and reshaping the council’s composition. Former Liberal premier Ted Baillieu’s son, Rob Baillieu, is set to win in Riversdale ward, indicating a wider trend away from traditional party politics. The Greens, independents, and other climate-conscious candidates seem to be gaining traction in the city’s east.
A major alteration in this election has been the shift to single-member wards in metropolitan councils, excluding the City of Melbourne. This change has been criticized by the Greens for potentially making it harder for candidates from minor parties to be elected. Despite this, the Greens have managed to secure victories in different councils across the state, showcasing the party’s ongoing presence and impact in local government. Ultimately, the final outcome of the elections will be determined by the tallies of Group B votes and preferences, which will provide a clearer picture of the distribution of council seats.
