Backroom deal for coast mayor

Alex de Vos
Surf Coast’s new mayor won her job in a backroom deal, according to a councillor.
The councillor, who did not want to be identified, said councillors elected Libby Mears 24 hours before Tuesday’s public vote.
“Two stood for mayor – Dean Webster and Libby Mears – but one was knocked out,” the councillor said.
Cr Mears told a packed public gallery the following night she would strive to engage the community during her one-year term.
“I will make a strong commitment to continuing to advocate for robust, innovative and creative community engagement,” Cr Mears said.
“I will establish a program where over the next two years council will take its formal meeting to every town across the shire and invite citizens to…be part of the meeting process.”
Cr Mears nominated climate change, public transport and sustainable development as priorities for the new council.
She would also focus on “building a strong, effective team with a clear vision”.
“Collectively, we will instill in our community confidence and pride in this new council,” Cr Mears said.
Last week Cr Webster told the Independent he would nominate after winning the most votes at last month’s council election.
He did not return the Independent’s call for comment before the paper went to press yesterday.