Ahead of Wyndham council’s mayoral election on Wednesday 12 November, Cr Mia Shaw sat down with Star Weekly in Werribee to discuss her year at the helm.
2024-25 marked the first year of a new council term and Cr Shaw’s second time in the chair, having previously been mayor in 2018-19.
She conceded that putting on the robes comes with the responsibility of making tough decisions, but she was proud of the whole year and the infrastructure projects Wyndham council had delivered or set the groundwork for.
“Overall, the things I am most proud of are what we have actually delivered for our city– so there’s a number of projects we have started or are going to be starting,” Cr Shaw said.
“One of them in particular for me is The Big Shed, as a community events space.
“That was a tough decision to make but I think it is a really important one for our community. I am very proud of the fact that will now happen and that our community will have access to a large community events space that will be affordable for them to use.
“So I think that is a real city-shaping, intergenerational project that will have a long lasting benefit.“
The Werribee Park ward councillor said putting on the mayoral robes is not an easy undertaking due to the busy schedule and tough decisions, but it is a role she has relished and on the whole enjoyed.
“The mayor is a big gig in Wyndham now, we have 330,000 residents so there is always plenty to do,” Cr Shaw said.
“It is a tough job because we are a growing city. It is throwing up some challenges, so a lot of residents do come to the mayor of the day.
“I grew up in this community, for me it is always about positive outcomes for our community. Not just for the people who live here today, but for the growth we are going to have as well.
“We have to make sure we are delivering infrastructure and services that are going to take us forward. We can’t afford to go backwards and we can’t afford to stand still.“
