New focus for Queenscliff

Jessica Benton
A MIX of old and new will take Queenscliff’s council into a new era with pledges to focus on the environment, community and planning.
Former Cricket Australia chairman Bob Merriman, environmental activist David Mitchell, Greens member Lloyd Davids and community advocate Helene Butler have joined re-elected councillor John Burgess at Borough of Queenscliffe’s council table.
Cr Burgess said the “diverse” backgrounds of councillors would take the borough into an exciting era with a “cohesive” team.
He hoped the borough would “maintain its financial strength with tight budgeting and controlled expenditure”.
Setting a municipal boundary in a Point Lonsdale structure plan would be a priority for the new council, Cr Burgess said.
Cr Merriman was the hot contender for the borough’s new mayor when councillors sat down to cast their votes last night after the Independent went to press.
“I’ve been asked by the other councillors to except the nomination of mayor and I’m prepared to do it,” he said.