NOMINATIONS for the South Gippsland Shire Council election have closed with 17 candidates confirmed in today’s ballot draw.

All 17 candidates had nominated prior to the 12 noon deadline on Tuesday. The candidates are spread across the shire's three wards; Tarwin Valley covering Leongatha to Mirboo North, Strzeecki covering Korumburra, Loch, Poowong, Nyora and the rural areas to the west of the shire and Coastal Promontory ward redrawn this year to take in Dumbalk, Meeniyan and most of the south and east of the shire

There are three candidates tobe elected for each ward.

Candidates could only nominate to contest one ward, with five candidates for the Coastal-Promontory Ward, five candidates for the Strzelecki Ward and seven for the Tarwin Valley Ward.

Ballot packs for the all-postal election will start being posted on Monday, October 7. Voting closes at 6pm on Friday, October 25. Results are expected to be announced on Wednesday after Melbourne Cup Day.

The ballot draw was held to determine what order candidates appear on the ballot paper for the South Gippsland Shire Council election.

The order of candidates on the ballot paper are:

For the Coastal Promontory Ward: 1. Emma McKay. 2 Steve Finlay. 3 Sarah Gilligan. 4 Scott Rae. 5 Michael Poore.

For the Strzelecki Ward: 1 Nathan Hersey. 2 Bron Beach. 3 Jennie Keerie. 4 Jim Forbes. 5 John Kennedy.

For the Tarwin Valley Ward: 1 John Schelling. 2 Clare Williams. 3 Rosemary Cousin. 4 Brad Snell. 5 Kathleen Murray. 6 Aaron Taylor. 7 Don Hill.