MEDIA RELEASE - A new team with fresh ideas take the helm at Sutherland Shire Council
A new team promising to bring fresh ideas and a renewed focus on delivering for the community has been elected to lead Sutherland Shire Council, with Labor Councillor Jack Boyd elected to the role of Mayor and independent Councillor Laura Cowell elected to serve as Deputy Mayor during an extraordinary Council meeting this evening.
A ballot conducted to determine Council’s new leadership team saw Councillor Boyd secure the support of his Labor colleagues and the four recently elected independent Councillors to assume the role of Mayor for the next two years, with Independent Councillor Laura Cowell receiving similar support for the role of Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Boyd said he was humbled by the support he had received from his fellow Councillors to take on the role of Mayor, saying he looked forward to working with all elected Councillors to deliver results for Sutherland Shire residents.
“Over the past eight years I have been honoured to serve on Council and learn from the many dedicated, long serving Councillors who I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside,” Mayor Boyd said.
“I’m both tremendously humbled to have received the support of my fellow Councillors to take up the position of Mayor, and excited about the opportunity to bring new enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to pursuing the best interests of our community.
“Throughout my time on Council I’ve been intently focused on working with all Councillors across the political spectrum to deliver positive outcomes for local residents.
“I don’t shy away from the fact we have some significant challenges to take on as a Council – from advocating on behalf of our community on the level of development we can expect to see across the Sutherland Shire, protecting our waterways and beautiful natural environment, and continuing to deliver the quality services and infrastructure our community relies upon.
“Whatever the challenge our community faces, I’m committed to tackling it head-on, while delivering the sort of leadership the Sutherland Shire deserves – collaborative, collegial and informed by the input of our community.”
Mayor Boyd also welcomed the election of Councillor Cowell as Deputy Mayor, saying her appointment would enhance the ability of Council to represent the broad cross section of interests that exist across the community.
“Councillor Cowell is a real community champion, and through her deep involvement in local sport administration and professional endeavours supporting those living with disability, she brings some vitally important perspectives to our work in supporting all members of our community to get the most out of life in the Sutherland Shire,” Mayor Boyd said.
“I am delighted to have Councillor Cowell working alongside me as Deputy Mayor, and know that she will bring a strong sense of community values and a real commitment to working with all elected Councillors to effectively advocate on behalf of our community.
Councillor Boyd also thanked outgoing Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce, and outgoing Deputy Mayor, Councillor Carol Provan for the leadership they provided over the last term of Council, as well as the contributions they’ve made to the community over their lengthy periods of civic service.
“Councillor Pesce has been a passionate advocate for our community over the many years he has served as Councillor, and even more so during his time as Mayor,” Mayor Boyd said.
“The inexhaustible energy he brought to this role will be hard to match, but I am looking forward to taking up the challenge of continuing to fight for the best interests of our community.
“I would also like to thank former Deputy Mayor Carol Provan, who has been a well-respected and dedicated advocate for the people of A Ward and for our community more broadly, and will continue to be an effective champion for the issues that mean the most to local constituents.”
With all 15 newly elected Councillors formally inducted at this evening’s extraordinary meeting, Cr Boyd congratulated those who had been elected, noting the mix of experienced local representatives and fresh faces that had been elected to serve the community.
“It’s great to see that our community has returned a number of Councillors who have a huge depth of experience, as well as bringing some new faces into the fold who will no doubt bring a diverse range of perspectives to the task of advocating on behalf of local residents,” Mayor Boyd said.
“I am delighted to be joined by my fellow Labor Councillors Diedree Steinwall and Jen Armstrong once again, and welcome Mick Maroney and Peter Tsambalas as newly elected members of the Labor team.
“I would like to congratulate all those who have been elected to serve our community, and look forward to working closely with each of our elected representatives to deliver great outcomes for the people of the Sutherland Shire.”