Mayor Cr Kylie Spears leads Maroondah in the new Council term

Maroondah City Council has a new Mayor, following an election by Councillors at a Council Meeting held on Wednesday 11 November.

Cr Kylie Spears was unanimously elected to the position by her fellow Councillors.

The election of Mayor for the 2020-21 term followed the declaration of the outcome of the recent Council election on 5 November.

Cr Spears was sworn in as Maroondah’s 25th Mayor during a special ceremony livestreamed to the Maroondah community. Also at the meeting, Cr Nora Lamont was elected to the role of Deputy Mayor. The position will provide support to the Mayor in what will be a busy first year of Council.

Cr Spears said it was an honour to be elected to represent the Council in its first year of the new four year term.

“I am proud and honoured to be the elected Mayor of Maroondah to lead this new term for 2020/21. Being elected as your Mayor is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility,” Cr Spears said.

“I thank my fellow Councillors for placing their trust in me to lead this Council, and our vibrant and diverse City over the next 12 months. I am looking forward to serving our community with energy, passion, commitment and integrity,” Cr Spears said.

“I am also extremely proud that this is the first time in Maroondah’s history that we have a female Mayor and Deputy Mayor. I look forward to working with Cr Lamont as Deputy, as together I know we will make a great team,” Cr Spears said. 

This is Cr Spears second term on Council and her first as Mayor. She served as Deputy Mayor in 2018/19 and has previously served on the Maroondah Arts Advisory Committee, Maroondah Business Advisory Committee, Audit and Risk Advisory Committee, Maroondah Disability Advisory Committee, Eastern Regional Libraries Corporation and the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter. Cr Spears is also President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, Victoria Branch.

Cr Spears said one of her first priorities would be working with Council and the community to develop the new four year Council Plan, which is the blueprint for the Council Term.

“I look forward to working with my fellow Councillors over the next 12 months. Maroondah is lucky to have Councillors with so many combined years of experience, and such a diverse knowledge base and a passion to bring about positive changes for our community,” Cr Spears said.

As Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Spears is the patron of the Maroondah District Scout Association, the Bone Marrow Donor Registry of Victoria – Croydon Branch, the Red Cross Calling Appeal – Maroondah Area, and the Ringwood Pipe Band.

During Cr Spear‘s term of office work will continue on the Croydon Community Wellbeing Precinct; the redevelopment of Karralyka will be undertaken and pavilions will be redeveloped at Dorset Recreational Reserve, Jubilee Park, Ainslie Park, Springfield Park and Proclamation Park.

“In addition, many road projects will either be completed, or work will start, which will greatly assist how residents and commuters move through Maroondah.

“Each of these exciting projects will bring many new opportunities to Maroondah,” Cr Spears said.

Cr Spears invites members of the Maroondah community to watch the live-stream of Council’s regular meetings to learn more about the processes of local government. 

“The meeting schedule for the remainder of 2020 and for 2021 was also confirmed at the 11 November Council meeting, and I would encourage residents, business people and students to watch the live streams, and attend when restrictions are eased, to get a better understanding of the local decision making processes,” Cr Spears said.

“Some may think voting in Council elections is the only way for them to participate, but civic responsibility can extend to being a vital presence when Council conducts its business,” Cr Spears said.

“Councillors are all available to discuss any ideas or concerns that residents have. I encourage you to contact your ward Councillor and have a chat about your local area,” Cr Spears said.

“I look forward to representing Maroondah, and meeting many members of our community during my term as Mayor,” Cr Spears said.