EXCLUSIVE: Five-time mayor Shane Bourke has resigned from Wyndham council, saying recent issues and decisions prompted him to quit.
The popular Chaffey ward councillor, who was first elected 25 years ago, announced the surprise decision on Monday night.
He declined to reveal exactly why he was leaving, except that he had doubts about his ability to remain effective.
Cr Bourke was one of only two candidates to receive a quota at last year’s election.
In a statement, Cr Bourke said recent council decisions led him to question if he could continue to make a difference to the community.
“While I am supportive of the decision-making process in general and the views of others, I have been left questioning whether I am still able to a make a positive difference for the wider community,” he said.
Cr Bourke told the Weekly his resignation was “one of the most difficult” decisions of his life, but it was the right thing to do.
“I have had the honour of serving the Wyndham community as a councillor for 17 years over a 25-year period, and I have loved every moment,” he said.
Mayor Heather Marcus said Cr Bourke, who celebrated his 25th anniversary of being elected to council in August, would be a great loss.
“This in an incredibly sad day, not just for this council but the entire city,’’ she said. “Cr Bourke’s legacy extends beyond the buildings and road improvements – he has worked hard to build a community and provide leadership during times of unprecedented growth.”
Former mayors Pat Goodwin and Kim McAliney said Cr Bourke had been a wonderful ambassador for Wyndham.
A countback of last year’s poll will determine Cr Bourke’s replacement, with his votes to be distributed among the other Chaffey ward candidates.
Ms McAliney, the last candidate eliminated from the count, said she had not decided if she would return to council if she won the countback.
SHANE BOURKE FILE
1988: Shane Bourke elected to Werribee city council after beating the sitting mayor.
1994: Cr Bourke elected mayor. State government later replaces councillors with commissioners after amalgamating many councils across the state.
1997: The commissioners depart and Cr Bourke is elected mayor of the new Wyndham council. He helps lead a campaign against a planned toxic dump in Werribee.
2000: Cr Bourke stands down from the council to spend more time with his family.
2005: He is re-elected to Wyndham council and elected mayor for the third time.
2006: Wyndham councillors elect Cr Bourke as mayor for a fourth term.
2008: Cr Bourke begins his fifth term as mayor.
2012: Cr Bourke is re-elected after receiving more than 6000 first-preference votes.
2013: Cr Bourke celebrates his 25th anniversary of being elected to council in August before announcing his resignation on October 1.
