By Jena Carr
Liz Pattison and Mike Bodsworth will continue their roles as Surf Coast Shire Council’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the following year.
Mayor Pattison and Deputy Mayor Bodsworth were re-elected during a special council meeting on Tuesday, November 14.
Mayor Pattison said she was “grateful” to continue to lead the council and represent the Surf Coast community for the next 12 months.
“I am committed to good governance, and I want to collaborate and engage with the community,” she said.
“I’ve enjoyed the past year as Mayor, which is why I decided to put my hand up again and lead council for a second year.
“It’s a role that is both rewarding and challenging, as Council focuses on fulfilling the community vision to leave the Surf Coast better than we found it.”
Mayor Pattison said she was committed to reconciliation and was excited to see significant projects progress, including Torquay’s Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre and Winchelsea Pool renewal.
“I think it is very important to make local government accessible for everyone in our community and to do this we have taken some of our council meetings into the community,” she said.
“There are many challenges ahead, whether it be responding to climate change, addressing our housing needs, or just generally supporting each other to thrive.
“I want to enable our community to be part of the solution and come along on the journey for a healthy and connected community here on the Surf Coast.”
Deputy Mayor Bodsworth said he thanked council for its support and was particularly interested in growing the active transport options and the diversion of waste from landfills in the Surf Coast.
“I’ve really enjoyed the deputy mayor role over the past year and I’m very much looking forward to carrying it on for the coming year,” he said.
“I think we have performed well as a council and I’m very focused on ensuring we perform well, and we stay focused on our agendas and communities.”
