It’s Bruce almighty

Hamish Heard
Geelong’s mayoral vote is stitched up, with Belmont’s Bruce Harwood poised to seize the top job next week.
Cr Harwood confirmed to the Independent yesterday that he would throw his hat in the ring ahead of next Wednesday’s mayoral election.
But he remained coy on other councillors’ claims he was destined to be mayor.
“You don’t go printing your T-shirts until you win the premiership flag,” Cr Harwood said.
However, he said discussions with other councillors, who decide the mayor in an annual vote, had yielded “positive” results.
“It’s like any election – you talk to those involved and you talk to those who are going to vote and I’ve talked to all the councillors and there are indications of strong support for me,” Cr Harwood said.
He revealed Cr Rod Macdonald had also put his hand up for the job.
But another councillor, who did not want to be identified, said Cr Harwood “definitely” had the numbers.
Crs Macdonald and John Mitchell were squaring off to contest for the deputy mayor’s title, the councillor said.
Incumbent Mayor Peter McMullin confirmed on Wednesday he would not stand for the post again.
Cr Harwood hoped several major projects would progress during the next one-year mayoral term.
“As mayor I’d focus on some of the challenges which are very much part of our everyday lives,” Cr Harwood said.
“I’m looking to maintain a strategy that councillors have been engaged in for the past two years and that includes resolving east-west traffic issues, the convention centre site and relocation of the City of Greater Geelong’s offices so they can be consolidated on one site.”
Other items on Cr Harwood’s agenda included improving consultative planning processes and ensuring progress on stage four of Geelong’s bypass.
“I also want to make sure that all of the projects in councillors’ individual wards are being completed on time and within budget,” he said.
Cr Harwood said he was not a member of a political party.
“I have no alliance and I intend to work closely with all politicians, both state and federal as well as maintaining strong relationships with other community organisations like Geelong Environment Council, the chamber of commerce and the Committee for Geelong.”