Mat Hatcher has been re-elected. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Eurobodalla Shire has five new councillors, while three of the previous term’s councillors were re-elected and incumbent Mayor Mat Hatcher was resoundingly re-elected.
Council elections were held on 14 September and results were declared on 1 October.
The five new councillors include Laurence Babington (Mystery Bay) who ran on Mayor Hatcher’s ticket.
Phil Constable (Narooma) is another new councillor although he has served as a councillor in the past. Mick Johnson (Tuross Head) is another new face. He ran on Mr Constable’s ticket.
The other two new faces are Colleen Turner (Malua Bay) who was the Greens’ candidate and Sharon Winslade (Rosedale) who was the candidate for Labor.
The three re-elected councillors are Anthony Mayne (Mossy Point), Rob Pollock (Potato Point) and Amber Schutz (Catalina). Like Mr Babington, she ran on Mayor Hatcher’s ticket.
Greens candidate Colleen Turner is one of the five new faces elected to Eurobodalla Shire Council. Photo: Supplied.
Ms Turner said the result was almost a status quo. “While Mat Hatcher was re-elected with an increased majority, he still only has two in his team,” she said. “Residents sent a vote of confidence in Mat Hatcher and ultimately they have said the balance is about right.”
Mr Constable said he was taken aback by the results, particularly by the level of support for Mat Hatcher from Batemans Bay. Mr Constable was also very gratified by the level of support he received, especially from around his home patch of Narooma.
Ms Turner said she would be building on the “amazing work” by former Greens councillor and deputy mayor Alison Worthington and her predecessors. “They have laid a very good foundation for all sorts of programs.”
Early on, she will be looking to build on her campaign slogan of “Healthy, Happy and Housed”. Ms Turner said she thought an affordable housing strategy was still achievable.
“It can be looked at again and should be looked at again,” Ms Turner said. “Realistically, there ought to be enough interest and passion from a range of councillors to get something better.”
Rob Pollock is one of the familiar faces on the newly elected Eurobodalla Shire Council. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Constable said although he had been a member of the Liberal Party for several years, he didn’t believe in working in sides at the local government level. “We should be working for our local area and we should not have rusted on ideologies.”
He said he would assess each issue that came before the council on its own merits and would be “working for the greater good”.
His previous term as councillor was during the Black Summer bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic. He described that term as “torrid”, but believes we are now better prepared for bushfires.
He said he would return residents’ support for him at the election by being available and accessible.
“The greatest joy I get is trying to help people and being approachable and listening,” Mr Constable said. “That is where I try to make the biggest contribution.”
Ms Winslade said she was looking forward to getting on with the things she talked about during her campaign, namely affordable housing choices, improved community facilities, particularly around better access for the disabled, and action on climate change.
The NSW Electoral Commission’s website said there was a margin of 266 votes between the last elected candidate, Mick Johnson, and the last unelected/excluded candidate Sofia Keady. She ran on Mr Pollock’s ticket.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 29 October.
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