MELBA Ward candidate Alister Osborn, president of the Yarra Ranges ratepayers group, has confirmed that he does not live or own a property in the shire.
Mr Osborn, who is standing in the election by proxy, lives in Bayswater but owns and runs a finance business in Lilydale. He told the Weekly he pays rates through the commercial lease on his business premises.
The Victorian Electoral Commission's returning officer for the Yarra Ranges Shire, Les Johnson, said property and business owners may nominate proxies to the electoral roll under certain conditions.
Mr Osborn said he did not wish to reveal who the owner of the property was that nominated him until he had spoken to this person and did not get back to the Weekly by deadline.