Blue Mountains Councillor Mark Greenhill re-elected Mayor
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Council has re-elected Ward 4 Councillor Mark Greenhill as Blue Mountains Mayor for the 2020-2021 year. Ward 2 Councillor Chris Van der Kley has been re-elected as Deputy Mayor, and Romola Hollywood, also a Ward 2 Councillor, is Alternate Deputy Mayor.
Council elections have been postponed for 12 months by the Minister for Local Government, to address the risks posed by COVID-19. The new election date is Saturday 4 September 2021. The newly elected Councillors will hold their positions for this interim period.
In accordance with local government regulations, voting took place at the Council Meeting on 29 September through open ballot, by show of hands, as the most appropriate method during COVID-19 restrictions.
“It is an honour and privilege to be elected as Mayor for another year, until elections can take place again in 2021,” said Cr Greenhill. “It means a great deal to me that I have the support of my fellow Councillors in serving our incredible Blue Mountains City.
“We have made great progress working with the wonderful Blue Mountains community, to start rebuilding after an incredibly difficult year.
“We will continue to focus on supporting our community and local economy through recovery from the impacts of bushfires, flooding, and COVID-19 restrictions. In addition, we will focus on the restoration and protection of our natural environment.
“As one of only two cities within a World Heritage area, we want to continue to strengthen our status as a world class sustainable tourist destination.
“I am proud of the creation of the latest local environment plan, the declaration of carbon neutrality by 2025 and our resistance to government pressure towards overdevelopment.
“I want to thank this wonderful community for the amazing support and encouragement they have given me over the years of my service.”
Mark Greenhill has been a Blue Mountains City councillor for 17 years, seven of which he has served as Mayor after being first elected in 2013 and again in 2018.
In 2016, Cr Greenhill was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to local government and to the Blue Mountains community. When not attending to council matters, he works in industrial relations in the corporate sector.
Photo: Mayor Mark Greenhill