The event was organised by the Ararat Regional Business Association to give voters the chance to hear from council candidates about what they stand for ahead of the election.

There was a question and answer session at the end of the event for people question candidates on different topics.

The 2016 event is the first time this type of event has been run by the association.

Fay Hull, Bill Braithwaite, Gwenda Allgood, Peter Beales, Gary Hull, Jo Armstrong, Frank Deutsch and Glenda McLean attended the meeting and shared their policies with the people in attendance.

Association president Jodie-Lee Wells said it was a good chance for business owners to educate themselves on the candidates and the policies each candidate has.

“The opportunity for people to come along and get to know who the candidates are and get to know them,” she said.

“It is an opportunity to show businesses that the association is working with them to achieve different things within the community.

“I think it was a very informative night, it gave those that did attend something to think about.

“Ararat is going to go through a big change over the next few months and the next few years.

“So it is important that business owners know where they stand with the council going into the future.”

Mrs Wells said there has been some strong feedback about the meeting.

“Some people have said that being there on the night had actually changed their mind about some of the candidates,” she said.

“I was very impressed with the candidates that were able to attend.

“I am very grateful for the candidates that did attend.”

Ararat’s Hotondo Homes owner Jenny Pearse was one of the people who attended the evening.

Mrs Pearse said the information evening was a good idea.

"I found it interesting not just as a business person but as a voter as well,” she said.

"The event confirmed some things about some candidates and changed some things I thought about others.

"Particularly with new people running for election, it is good to hear from them and what their ideas are.

“It was good to hear from them all but it is disappointing that not all the candidates were able to attend.”

Mrs Wells said it will become a regular event in the lead up to each council election.

“I think it has been beneficial and it makes sense for it to continue,” she said.