Tolhurst takes over as new mayor

THE Borough of Queenscliffe’s new mayor Isabelle Tolhurst says she is committed to maintaining a fiscally responsible and socially progressive council.

Having served less than eight months with the borough, Cr Tolhurst was elected to the top job unopposed at last week’s council meeting, with Cr Fleur Hewitt saying she was “thrilled” to continue as deputy.

Cr Tolhurst said her key priorities for her term ahead reflected those contained in the borough’s council plan.

“As I see it, it’s about maintaining the borough’s financial viability, we’re a small council with limited resources… it’s about maximising our assets and optimising our caravan park because that’s a really key income stream for us.”

Continuing the implementation of council’s climate emergency response plan is “huge”, Cr Tolhurst said, as is the development and implementation of the council’s coastal and marine management plan.

“Which is overdue, but we’re really excited to have a fantastic project manager on to help us drive that process forward.”

Cr Tolhurst indicated the council will continue to have difficult conversations about the way public holidays such as Australia Day are marked, noting that “an area that’s close to me is furthering the work that’s needed to reconcile and repair relationships with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.”

Cr Tolhurst pointed to a recent discussion at the Municipal Association of Victoria’s state conference where the issue of celebrating a public holiday during NAIDOC Week was raised as an option.

“It’s about being progressive and ambitious about what we do to reconcile those relationships,” she said.
“In the case of the borough and council specifically, it also means developing our RAP; our Reconciliation Action Plan… that will have actions for council internally and will flow on to the community more broadly.”

Cr Tolhurst paid tribute to her predecessor Cr Ross Ebbels, who was borough mayor for three years.

“It’s evident he’s a real community man and I thank him for his support.

“There was a huge amount of work done in his term that he should be proud of.”