By JESSE GRAHAM
THE Yarra Ranges will have a new mayor for the New Year, with Fiona McAllister stepping down at next Tuesday’s election and her deputy throwing her hat in the ring for the top spot.
Cr McAllister, who was elected mayor on 6 November last year alongside deputy Maria McCarthy, told the Mail that she would not be running again in the council’s 2 December mayoral election.
Her reason for not re-contesting, she said, was because she wanted others to experience the role.
“There are many reasons why I decided not to put my hand up, and that’s one of them,” Cr McAllister said.
“If there are others who are interested, it’s such an incredible opportunity to get a turn, and it’d be great for someone else to have that opportunity as well.”
While she did not have a pick for who might put their hand up for the role, Cr McAllister said the position was usually hotly contested.
“I know the history of Yarra Ranges is that there’s normally at least two – I’m sure it will be contested,” she said.
Cr McAllister won the mayoral position in a five-to-four vote against Lyster Ward councillor, Samantha Dunn.
Cr McCarthy, meanwhile, said she would be going for the mayoral position in the election.
She said that she made the decision to stand for mayor recently, and that she had experienced the role briefly when stepping in as acting mayor earlier in the year.
“It’s been a wonderful time (as deputy mayor) – Fiona has been a great mayor and we’ve worked really well together,” she said.
“It’s been something new almost every day and that’s been great.
“I’ll put my hat in the ring and see how I go.”
Cr McAllister and Cr McCarthy’s election to the role of mayor and deputy mayor marked the first time in the Yarra Ranges Council’s 19-year history that two women had been elected to the top roles at the same time.
The mayoral election will be held on Tuesday 2 December at the Yarra Ranges Council Chambers at 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale, from 7pm.
For the result of the meeting, see mail.starcommunity.com.au.
