Napthine laments loss of Ballarat mayor

Ballarat Council will be "poorer" after the resignation of its mayor this week, Victorian Premier Denis Napthine says.

John Burt's decision to quit as mayor has come after Dr Napthine angrily fought off suggestions he tried to influence the mayoral vote in Ballarat last year.

Dr Napthine faced questions in parliament earlier this month from Labor's Ballarat West MP Sharon Knight over whether he sought to directly influence the ballot to ensure a Liberal member was installed as the city's next mayor.

These came after a Ballarat councillor reportedly said Mr Burt had briefed councillors to say the premier wanted a Liberal-aligned mayor to lead the council, allegations the premier called outrageous.

Dr Napthine said on Wednesday he was surprised and disappointed to learn of Mr Burt's resignation.

"John Burt was a hardworking councillor with the city of Ballarat, has an enormous history of working hard with the community as principal of the Ballarat special school and of course as a broad community worker," he told reporters.

"The council will be poorer for his resignation."