Councillor Dick Gross is back in the Port Phillip Mayoral Chair, following a Special Council Meeting last night at the St Kilda Town Hall.
Cr Louise Crawford (Canal Ward) was named Deputy Mayor, the role Cr Gross most recently held. Both were elected unopposed for the 12-month positions.
Cr Gross (Canal Ward) said Council had already laid the groundwork for strategically addressing challenges facing the City, ranging from transport to waste management.
“This, the third year of our four-year term, is all about consolidating and implementing these bold strategies to transform and future-proof Port Phillip for our community as our City continues to grow.”
It has been 14 years since Cr Gross, who has extensive local government experience from serving as a Councillor, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and former president of the Municipal Association of Victoria, was last in the Port Phillip Mayoral Chair.
He praised Outgoing Mayor Bernadene Voss for the skill and energy she brought to the role, noting Council had succeeded in gaining 10 of its 11 advocacy priorities at the recent Victorian Government election.
Cr Voss thanked her family for their support during her three consecutive stints as Mayor over two Council terms. “This is a brave Council and I look forward to continuing to serve our community as we keep delivering on our commitments.”
Cr Crawford said she felt privileged to have the opportunity to learn and serve as Deputy Mayor in her first term as a Councillor.
“I am looking forward to supporting the Mayor and my fellow councillors and encouraging as many members of our diverse community as possible to participate and get involved as we implement our Council Plan priorities,” she said.
Background:
Cr Gross was elected as Deputy Mayor in 2017 and was a former Port Phillip Councillor (including three terms as Mayor) from 1996-2008.
He was elected to the current Council in 2016.
