, who was first elected to Council for the Oakleigh Ward in 2016, has been elected Monash’s Mayor for the next 12 months.
He previously served as Deputy Mayor in 2016/17. Cr James is a father to three daughters and lives in Oakleigh.
Cr James said engaging the community to have their say on issues important to them, improving services for families, advocating for sustainable transport options across the municipality and supporting the arts in Monash would form part of his focus for this mayoral year.
Mount Waverley Ward Councillor MT Pang Tsoi has been elected Deputy Mayor. Cr Tsoi was first elected to Council for the Mount Waverley Ward in 2016 and is passionate about promoting cross-cultural opportunities for the Monash community.
Cr James, who is also the Chair of the Eastern Transport Coalition, said over the next 12 months he looked forward to working closely with the community about issues and services including:
- continuing to advocate to the State Government for funding commitments to extend Westall Road to connect with the Monash Freeway
- the introduction of the food waste in the green bin service in July 2020 that will help people living in Monash reduce their environmental impact
- maintaining the ‘garden character’ of the municipality and opposing inappropriate development in our suburbs to preserve vegetation and neighbourhood amenity
- supporting small businesses in Monash to innovate and thrive.
In his first term, Cr James initiated the introduction of a drop-in playgroup service at Cabena Child and Family Centre in Chadstone that now has more than 1000 families on its books. A second drop-in playgroup has now been established in Glen Waverley.
“I am incredibly proud of the success of the drop-in playgroup service in Chadstone, and now Glen Waverley, which I championed from the start of my term as a councillor. I am similarly passionate about transport matters and advocating for services so people can move around Monash easily and more sustainably,” Cr James said.
“This is an exciting time in Monash with the Suburban Rail Loop project creating great opportunities for our business and educational sector and significant potential for economic growth for this region.
“What inspires me is encouraging inclusiveness for the community so that they feel comfortable telling Council what matters to them and I will follow up on their ideas where practical and explore the possibilities.
“I’m incredibly humbled to have been voted as Mayor and I am excited for the year ahead. I look forward to working with Cr Tsoi as my deputy, and all Councillors, for the betterment of the Monash community.”
