Re-elected Mayor to identify aspirations

Re-elected Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan will meet with the new Bunbury City Council to identify its aspirations for at least the next two years.

Mr Brennan had a convincing victory over his fellow mayoral candidates at the Local Government election count on Saturday night when his closest contender was out-going Deputy Mayor Brendan Kelly who polled 810 fewer votes.

While Cr Kelly still has two years left on the council, he conceded to the South Western Times that it would be his last term and he would not re-contest the deputy spot next week.

Cr Kelly hit out saying the defeat meant Bunbury was an “old political establishment” and it would need to be guarded against political “factionalism”.

“It’s a new era of political factionalism led by the National Party ... It’s parasitic if you like,” Cr Kelly said.

“It’s dangerous for local governments to be politicised and something council will need to guard against.”

But Mr Brennan said Cr Kelly’s comments were “absolute rubbish” and the support for his election had been widespread in the community.

Incumbent councillor and National Party WA president James Hayward said the party had no interest in local government.

“I’ve voted with and against every single member on council and I expect I’ll continue to do the same,” Cr Hayward said.

Mr Brennan said his focus now was working with the council to outline its collective aspirations for Bunbury over the next few years.

“It’s a great honour to be elected as Mayor and more specifically, re-elected,” Mr Brennan said.

“I’m very much looking forward to that same passion and energy and there’s just a great sense of pride and optimism for our great city.”

Mr Brennan will serve a second term as Mayor with 2305 votes, ahead of Cr Kelly on 1495, Cr Betty McCleary (1480), Cr Michelle Steck (1110), Ross Slater (903), Jason Shaw (406) and Zyggi Uchwal (179).

The turnout rate for the Bunbury mayoral vote was 35 per cent – less than the 2013 return rate of 36 per cent.

Mr Brennan said a number of projects already under way, including recruitment of the city’s chief executive officer and major land projects, would be the first major decisions of the council.

“It’ll be a seamless transition but a great opportunity to reset and think about what to focus on as we head into another budget come next year,” he said.

Cr Kelly said his major focus over the next two years would be Bunbury’s Most Accessible Regional City in Australia project.