THREE new faces and five familiar ones were welcomed in Wanneroo Council Chambers following the local government elections last weekend.
The October 19 election, based on votes from less than a quarter of eligible electors in the City, saw Tracey Roberts re-elected for a third term as mayor.
Mrs Roberts won support from more than two-thirds of people who returned ballots in the postal election against North Coast Ward Councillor Sonet Coetzee, who put her hand up halfway through her first term on council.
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READ NOWWard councillors Brett Treby, Frank Cvitan and Natalie Sangalli were re-elected to the South, Central and North Coast seats respectively.
Glynis Parker, who served on the council from 2013 to 2017 before losing a North Coast seat, found support in the South Ward, filling one of two seats left vacant when previous councillors resigned.
Girrawheen lawyer Vinh Nguyen, of Darch, won the other South Ward seat while Wanneroo resident Jacqueline Huntley secured the Central seat with more votes than previous councillor Samantha Fenn.
Yanchep resident and retired lawyer Chris Baker, who has previously been a State Liberal MP and Joondalup councillor, won the biggest share of votes in the North Coast Ward, which meant Russell Driver lost his seat.
The mayor swore the councillors in at a ceremony at the civic centre after a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony in the Jacaranda Amphitheatre on October 21.
“I am looking forward to working with the City’s newest and returning Councillors to continue the effective advocacy and engagement with our community,” Mrs Roberts said.
“Our councillors bring skills and interests in small business, entrepreneurship, road safety, legal matters, environment, youth education and welfare, community safety and facilities.
“Having a diverse range of expertise and backgrounds on council will ensure that the needs and aspirations of our community – both residents and businesses – continue to be appropriately represented.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to our newly elected and re-elected councillors and trust they will work hard alongside our current councillors to deliver excellent opportunities and results for our community who deserve the best representation from their local government members.
“I also extend council’s appreciation to former councillors Russell Driver and Samantha Fenn for their service to our community and wish them all the very best for the future.”
Councillors will elect the deputy mayor and representatives of committees and working groups at a special council meeting from 6pm on October 29.