Swan Mayor David Lucas on setting a good direction

OPINION: Mayor David Lucas writes about setting a clear direction for the City of Swan in this occasional column for Community News

EVERY two years, the City of Swan holds elections to appoint representatives from the community to make decisions on behalf of residents and ratepayers.

These councillors give up their time to help build a strong and prosperous community that we all want to live in.

The council works together to provide good governance by making decisions on all aspects of community, social, environmental and economic wellbeing.

We review the City’s finances and resources, determine policies and ensure statutory and community responsibilities are met.

Importantly, the council directs the CEO to deliver on our approved plans, directions and strategies.

As a council, we are responsible for setting a clear strategic plan to ensure the City is adequately meeting your needs, taking into account the greatest community priorities and the costs to deliver these projects. We make decisions to ensure the City is a place where you want to live, work and play.

One of the greatest pressures we face is meeting the State Government’s long-term requirements for urban infill.

In fact, by 2050, the City will accommodate over 60 per cent of the North East Metropolitan Sub Region’s population. Meeting these targets will not be easy but I believe we can have world-class developments, master-planned communities and a strong sense of civic pride if we work together and plan for it now.

This is just one of many priorities that the council must consider when making decisions that set the direction for the future of our community, and our legacy for the next generation.

A healthy and active democracy has civil conversations and debate on ideas and ideals, ultimately leading to actions to implement decisions.

Staff at the City of Swan are employed to carry out these decisions we make and I, for one, am grateful for the work they undertake every day to deliver our vision.

Take a look around you, at your community buildings, your pools, roads, and local parks.

These places exist because of the hard work of City employees who are here to provide services for you.

I reiterate the council’s support and appreciation of our CEO Mike Foley and his team of over 800 staff who are doing a stellar job in carrying out the decisions of council, and making your community a better place to live, work and play.