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Wednesday 20 November 2024
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Triple threat for junior titles THREE Dromana sisters are set to compete in the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in NSW this month. Mia, Rose, and Ava Holland have been surfing on the Mornington Peninsula nearly every day for the past six years, will be among the more than 250 surfers to battle it out on Wollongong’s beaches when the big event is held from 24 November to 1 December. Read ‘Sister act: teens set for ride of their lives’ - Page 9 Picture: Yanni
New councillors set to face four years of challenges Cameron McCullough cameron@mpnews.com.au ELEVEN new councillors will be sworn in this week to face a four year term that could end up being the most testing in the shire’s history. Fundamental challenges face the new council, including a reduction in federal government funding, rate capping at below CPI, and a costshifting crisis expected to cost the shire $234m over the next five years (Financial crisis looms for shire, The News 22/10/24). They will also have to contend
with the controversial paid-parking decision that was delayed into the new councillor’s term by the last term councillors (Paid beach parking ‘mayhem’ not over yet, The News 10/9/24). Perhaps highest on the list of urgent tasks will be the recruitment of a new CEO after John Baker resigned from the role on 24 October, and is set to leave council on 6 December. Notable is the number of new councillors, with only three of the 11 newly elected councillors having served in the last council (Crs Roper, Gill and Marsh). Also notable is the absence of
balanced gender representation with only two female councillors elected across the 11 wards. This is at odds with the last council where seven of the 11 representatives were women. Representing Beek Beek Ward, Cr Kate Roper, told The News “I look forward to working with the new councillor group constructively for the community over the next four years. We have some tough decisions to make to provide the best services and facilities within future budget restraints, and with different perspectives. “I’m sure we can come up with good options. I thank all candidates for putting up their hand to contrib-
ute to this community.” Representing Benbenjie Ward, Max Patton said “Broadly, my vision for the next council term is to foster a councillor group that listens to community, works cohesively, responds with common sense, and remains committed to enhancing the quality of life on the Mornington Peninsula for everyone”. “Specifically, there are too many priorities to list and most will need fact-finding for further action. “I look forward to the induction period, where I can gain a deeper understanding of the issues and opportunities we face, and how we can best address them in alignment with
community sentiment and expectations.” Representing Briars Ward, Cr Anthony Marsh told The News “I’m honoured to return for another term as the Briars Ward councillor, and I will continue to serve our community with hard work, openness, balance, and integrity”. “Our community and organisation face many challenges, but if we stay true to our purpose, why we’re here, and who we serve, I’m confident this council will bring about cultural change, focus on local priorities, and make decisions traceable to community needs. Continued Page 3