Last Wednesday, Cr Charlotte Baines and Cr Stefanie Perri were the sole nominees for mayor and deputy mayor respectively.

Next year has been named the Year of Women in Local Government to encourage the participation of women in executive and elected leadership roles.

Across Australia, women represent only 28.4per cent of councillors and fill only 5per cent of local government chief executive roles.

In 2008, ratepayers across Victoria voted in fewer female councillors than for the previous term, but five of Monash's 11 councillors are women.

New Monash mayor Charlotte Baines was elected to the council in 2005. She has worked with the youth advisory committee and on the development of the Wellington Reserve Community Centre and has transformed Monash into a "fair trade" municipality.

She said she was excited by the challenges that lay ahead and would focus on "greater equity" for ratepayers under the new rating system, improved community engagement and opposing inappropriate development.

Cr Baines said she was proud to be part of an all-female team leading the city. "Symbolism is a powerful thing because it can help others realise that other woman who are older and younger than us can achieve the same things."

Cr Perri, who is serving her first term on the council, looked forward to continuing work on the Clayton Community Strengthening Project and the opening of the Oakleigh Pool.

"In the years ahead, I'd also like to see us build further on our efforts in environmental sustainability and opportunities to build and strengthen our terrific community."