Surf Coast Shire has received a shake up with some new faces in councillor roles following the release of election results.
Surf Coast Shire Council’s Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) election results were declared in council’s Torquay chambers at 11am on Friday, November 8, with four new councillors announced for the restructured shire’s three wards.
The Winchelsea Ward will comprise mostly new councillors, with Joel Grist and Tony Phelps securing spots alongside Adrian Schonfelder, who will return for another four years.
Rebecca Bourke will join re-elected councillors Liz Pattison and Paul Barker in the Torquay Ward, while Leon Walker takes on the Otway Range Ward with returning councillors Mike Bodsworth and Libby Stapleton.
“I really look forward to working with fellow councillors and employees, but most importantly, with the residents and working with them with transparency, integrity and advocacy,” Cr Walker said.
Cr Stapleton received the highest number of first preference votes across all candidates, with 32.35 per cent (2615) of people identifying her as their first preference for the Otway Range Ward.
“I feel reassured that the values I stand for and the priorities I’ve highlighted over the last four years and during my campaign resonate well with the Otway Range Ward community,” she said.
“I hope for the new councillors, that you find the next four years are such a rewarding and fulfilling experience as I have had over the past four years.”
Surf Coast Shire will also farewell two long-standing councillors following the VEC results, with Rose Hodge and Kate Gazzard not re-elected for another term.
Cr Pattison told the Independent that she was sad to see Ms Hodge and Ms Gazzard leave, but that they would continue to be “amazing community supports for council”.
“Local government gets in your blood, and you can’t give it up… They’re committed to being strong community advocates going forward,” she said.
“Rose is such an asset with 20 years on council. She’s been an amazing councillor and will always be close to council because it’s her life and so important to her.”
Councillors will be sworn in during a private ceremony at 6pm on Monday, November 11. Elections for the mayor and deputy mayor positions will be held on Thursday, November 14, at 5.30pm.
