New Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2023/24
Published on 09 November 2023
Maroondah City Council has a new Mayor, following a Council meeting on Wednesday 8 November.
Cr Kylie Spears was elected as Maroondah’s 28th Mayor during a special Council meeting which was also livestreamed to the Maroondah community. This is Cr Spears’ second term as Mayor.
She will be supported by Cr Paul Macdonald, who was elected to the role of Deputy Mayor. It is the first time he has held this position, which will provide support to the Mayor in a busy year ahead for Council.
Cr Spears said it was a great honour to be elected to represent the Council for the next 12 months, the final year of the current Council term.
“Representing the community is a privilege and I’m very much looking forward to doing so with energy, passion, commitment and integrity,” she said.
“I’d like to thank my fellow Councillors for entrusting me to lead this Council and our vibrant and diverse City. Together I know we will continue to achieve the aspirations of our community and our collective goals,” she said.
Cr Spears thanked the outgoing Mayor, Cr Rob Steane for his strong leadership, commitment and enthusiasm for the Maroondah community over the past twelve months, and outgoing Deputy Mayor, Cr Tasa Damante for her support of the Councillor team.
Cr Spears said as we enter the fourth year of this current Council term, she looks forward to continuing and completing many of the projects envisioned back in 2020, and also starting some of the new projects aligned with the Council Plan 2021-2025 and Maroondah 2040.
These include the development of the Croydon Community Wellbeing Precinct; the creation of a new Croydon Town Centre in partnership with the Victorian Government as the removal of the Coolstore Road level crossing progresses, and of course the new stations at Croydon and Ringwood East.
“This year will also provide our community with one of the most important opportunities to shape Maroondah, as we consult on the next horizon of Maroondah 2050. We will be looking to the future, to review and develop a new community vision, consulting and working with our community, key stakeholders and partners to ensure that the new Maroondah 2050 vision captures the hopes and aspirations of all of us,” said Cr Spears.
Cr Spears invites members of the Maroondah community to attend, or view the livestream, of Council’s regular meetings to learn more about the processes of local government.
“The meeting schedule for 2024 will be confirmed at the 11 December Council Meeting, and I would encourage residents, business people and students to attend or view these meetings, and take an interest in local issues,” said Cr Spears.
“Some may think voting in Council and other level of government elections is the only way for them to participate, but civic responsibility can extend to being a vital presence when Council conducts its business,” said Cr Spears.
“I look forward to meeting many members of our community during my term as Mayor, starting with Maroondah Festival on Sunday 12 November and of course at our Maroondah Carols on Saturday 2 December,” said Cr Spears.