COUNCILLOR Stephen Pratt is set to bid adieu to the City of Cockburn when his term finishes next month.
The Central ward councillor, who has served for the past eight years, has revealed he will not recontest his seat at the upcoming council elections.
He is the only one of the four incumbent councillors up for re-election to not recontest their seat.
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READ NOWCouncillors Charmonix Terblanche, Lara Kirkwood and Carol Reeve-Fowkes have all flagged their intentions to return.
Cr Pratt said it had been a difficult decision, but ultimately he wanted to spend more time with his young family and his busy professional life meant something had to give.
He said he would remember his time on council fondly and was proud to have been part of some fantastic highlights.
“These include building the Cockburn ARC, which has been a huge success, the Bibra Lake Adventure Playground, fighting for our community to stop forced council amalgamations and protecting our natural environment from the damage that would be caused by the proposed Roe 8 project,” Cr Pratt said.
Cr Reeve-Fowkes, who has represented the West ward for the past 12 years, said she wanted to ensure every ratepayer had the chance to voice concerns on any issue.
“Now, more than ever, local government is in danger of becoming too politicised and extreme, and the silent majority of our residents are in danger of not being heard,” she said.
Cr Terblanche said feedback from local residents encouraged her to recontest her seat in the East ward.
“Due to so many residents asking me to stand again to continue representing their interests with integrity and passion, I will most certainly do so again,” she said.
Her fellow East ward candidate Cr Kirkwood was elected in 2018 at the extraordinary election after the death of long-time councillor Steven Portelli.
She said she had thoroughly enjoyed her 16 months on council and hoped her stint would translate to a four-year term after the election.
“I still have a lot of excitement and ideas to provide to my community as a councillor,” she said.
Steve Blyth, who contested the seat of Pearce for The Nationals at the recent Federal Election, has thrown his hat into the ring for an East ward seat.
This year’s local government elections take place on October 19. Nominations for council open on September 5 and close one week later on the 12th.