STEPPING up the push for greater funding from state and federal governments
for Wyndham will be the “number one priority” for the city’s new mayor Heather
Marcus, as she embarks on her second term at the helm.
The Iramoo ward councillor was elected unopposed last night, with Chaffey
ward’s Marie Brittan to be her deputy.
Cr Marcus faces a challenging 12 months, as she sets about leading an
expanded council team in the first 12 months of its four-year term.
Following last months council elections, all 11 councillors were sworn in
at the meeting including six new faces – Gautam Gupta, Marie Brittan, Intaj
Khan, Peter Maynard and brothers Peter and John Gibbons along with returning
councillors Heather Marcus, Shane Bourke, Adele Hegedich, Glenn
Goodfellow.
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In nominating Cr Marcus for mayor, Chaffey Ward councillor Shane Bourke
praised her commitment and dedication to Wyndham over many years, but warned of
the significant challenges facing the city over the next 12 months.
“You have a passion for Wyndham and work tirelessly for the community. By
the time your mayoralty is finished, our population will probably hit 200,000,”
he said.
First elected to council in 2005, a “humbled and honoured” Cr Marcus was
mayor in 2010 following two years as deputy to Chaffey ward Cr Shane Bourke in
2007 and 2009.
“In the lead-up to the elections, many issues were debated, but it’s now
time for us to work together. Teamwork will be the key to our success,” she
said.
“We need to speak with one loud voice and advocate for more state and
federal government funding.”
Cr Marcus promised an “open door” policy and vowed to address the
contentious rates rises among landowners on Wyndham’s fringe, paying tribute to
previous mayor Kim McAliney for her handing of what she described as a
“difficult year”.
As reported in the Weekly, landowners of properties brought inside the
State Government’s urban growth boundary cried foul in the months before the
elections, after receiving council rates bills more than four times higher than
last year.
“We’ve promised to review at the rating system,” Cr Marcus said.
“We’ll look at how we can help landowners of properties brought inside the
boundary. We’ve got to ensure our rating system is fair for everybody, but at
the same time, we have to provide for our city’s growth.”
Cr Marcus nominated the redevelopment of the Werribee Sports and Fitness
Centre, the 80 Derrimut Road project, addressing the city’s road congestion and
slowing Wyndham’s growth among the council’s key tasks over the coming
months.
Councillors also voted to approve a recommendation by Local Government
Minister Jeanette Powell to set the mayoral allowance at $85,741 and the
councillor allowance at $26,843.
