Fleur Hewitt resigns as borough councillor

FLEUR Hewitt has resigned as a councillor of the Borough of Queenscliffe, saying she could “no longer give it my all”.

The councillor of the past two and a half years and deputy mayor for the past one and a half years formally submitted her resignation, effective immediately, on Friday last week.

“The warmth, passion, and dedication that people have for our community is extraordinary and humbling,” Ms Hewitt stated last week.

“Thank you for always being engaged and open with your concerns and ideas.

“During my time, I have been keenly focused on good governance, true community engagement and sensible strategic decision-making and planning to ensure the sustainability of the borough long into the future.

“I remain passionate about these things and believe they are essential to an effective council.

“Stepping down from council has been an extremely difficult decision.

The challenges and requirements of the role have increased dramatically over the recent period, and I feel that I can no longer give it my all as I have previously.

“I wish the next councillor all the very best and I commit to providing support to them, my fellow councillors and council officers in their continued endeavours to deliver for our community.”

Ms Hewitt was elected to the borough’s council in October 2020, and also served as deputy mayor, lead councillor for the governance and finance portfolio and member of the audit and risk committee.

She held the environment portfolio and was the chair of the Coastal and Marine Management Plan Project Steering Group.

The borough stated that that during Ms Hewitt’s term on council, she drove continuous improvement, represented the community with passion and moved several important motions including the motion that the borough adopt the Gender Equality Statement of Commitment.

“Councillor Fleur Hewitt undertook her role with extraordinary dedication, always guided by her deep care for people and a desire to deliver for our community,” borough mayor Isabelle Tolhurst said last week.

“Council is sad to see Councillor Hewitt resign but respects her decision and wishes her the very best for future endeavours.”

The borough has contacted Victorian Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne and the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) about the resignation.

“It is understood the VEC will shortly start a countback procedure to fill the extraordinary vacancy, which may take some time,” the borough stated.