Maroondah City Council has a new Mayor, following an election by Councillors at a Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13 November 2019.
Councillor Mike Symon was unanimously elected to the position by his fellow Councillors, and was sworn in as Maroondah’s 24th Mayor during a special ceremony in front of members of the community and Council staff.
This is Cr Symon’s first term as Mayor of Maroondah.
Also at the meeting, Councillor Marijke Graham was elected to the role of Deputy Mayor. The position will provide support to the Mayor in what will be a busy year of Council.
Cr Symon said it was an honour to be elected to represent the Council for the final year of the current four-year term of Council. He will hold the post for the next 11 months.
“I am immensely proud to be given the opportunity to lead this Council for the final year of this Council’s term. As a team of nine councillors we’ve accomplished a great deal over the past three years, however, there’s still more to achieve for our community,” Cr Symon said.
The newly elected Mayor said one of the main priorities going into 2020 would be continuing to work with the community to implement the priority actions of the Council Plan, which is the blueprint for the four-year council term.
“It is both my pleasure and privilege to continue to serve this community in the capacity as Mayor and I look forward to working alongside my fellow councillors and the Maroondah community over the next 11 months.
“Maroondah is fortunate to have councillors with such a diverse knowledge base and a passion to bring about positive changes to our community,” Cr Symon said.
During Cr Symon’s mayoral term the new HE Parker sporting pavilion will be completed, and construction will commence on the new Silcock Reserve and Cheong Park sporting pavilions. He is also looking forward to the completion of the design for the $15m Karralyka redevelopment; the completion of the Croydon Structure Plan and the commencement of the staged redevelopment of the Croydon Community precinct during his term of office.
“Each of these exciting projects will bring many new opportunities to Maroondah and more importantly to our community,” Cr Symon said.
“We are building a place where people are supported with the services, assets and infrastructure they need to enjoy living here, and to thrive.”
Cr Symon also thanked outgoing Mayor Cr Rob Steane and the Deputy Mayor, Cr Kylie Spears and acknowledged their support and achievements over the past 12 months.
“Cr Steane has led this Council with dedication and enthusiasm, and has attended countless events and functions representing the people of this City. Cr Spears has also shown great leadership, going above and beyond to ensure she was there to support the Mayor and her fellow Councillors.
“On behalf of the community and Councillors, I’d like to commend Cr Steane and Cr Spears on providing strong leadership and for what they has been able to achieve over the past 12 months,” Cr Symon said.
