ALTHOUGH it\u2019s not her first time holding the office, with just over three months in Cr Helena Kirby\u2019s current mayoral experience under her belt, she said this term has already proved to be one like no other.<\/p>\n
In addition to dealing with the trials of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Cr Kirby said it\u2019s been challenging to take on the role at the start of a new council term.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis time around being the mayor in the first term of a new council is difficult because many councilors are new and learning, so you\u2019re there to provide guidance and help them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re all picking it up really quickly, which is good because there\u2019s so much involved with local government, we\u2019ve already had a couple of Zoom meetings but it\u2019s a challenge making sure you\u2019ve got the internet connection right.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough, we\u2019ve been lucky that we haven\u2019t had a long total lockdown like we did last year, but it\u2019s important we continue with our social distancing and protocols to keep it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking into account her previous experience, and current time, as mayor, Cr Kirby said the best part of the job is being able to meet and listen to the people of the Shire.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s a small issue or if it\u2019s a large issue, being able to take that on board and coming to a good solution between that person or party and council is really satisfying,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re voted in by our ratepayers, so we have to make sure we\u2019re listening to them and weigh up what\u2019s right and what\u2019s manageable for the Shire.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really interesting to listen to everyone\u2019s different challenges particularly at the moment talking to them about the council plan for the next four years.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the start of a new council term comes a new council plan that for the first time will include feedback and suggestions from the community.<\/p>\n
Cr Kirby said she\u2019s excited to hit the ground running with the key directional document and start working on some of the big issues around the Shire.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be great to hear what expectations the residents are going to be asking of us and what we can put into the plan for them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do get the same issues around the Shire, I\u2019ve been hearing them for a long time, a lot of them are transport, roads, basic infrastructure like drainage and we have been working really hard as a council to try and change some of the ways we do things for the better.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so many issues out there that we as a Shire have to deal with moving forward because we have so many new residents moving to our Shire and we have to lift our game.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to issues of basic infrastructure, Cr Kirby said after 2020, she\u2019s keen to flag improvement for telecommunications services for residents around the Shire.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people now are working from home and are advocating for better services and infrastructure for their mobile phones, computers and broadband,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to let the State and Federal Governments know where we\u2019re lacking and put one foot in front of the other.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be working hard for the next twelve months and see to some of the challenges that the community raised, and I will put my hand up and rally for residents.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ALTHOUGH it\u2019s not her first time holding the office, with just over three months in Cr Helena Kirby\u2019s current mayoral experience under her belt, she said this term has already proved to be one like no other. In addition to dealing with the trials of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Cr Kirby said it\u2019s been challenging […]<\/p>\n