Busselton councillors, mayor sworn in

The City of Busselton’s four elected councillors were sworn in and Ian Stubbs re-appointed as Mayor at a special council meeting on last night.

Justice of the Peace Graham Edwards adjudicated the ceremony which saw returning councillors Grant Henley, Terry Best and Gordon Bleechmore and new councillor Rob Bennet give their Oaths of Office.

Councillors immediately voted on who would serve as Mayor for the next two years and Cr Stubbs was returned after receiving the only nomination.

Tom Tuffin had signalled prior to the meeting his intention not to serve as Deputy Mayor for another term and Cr Henley was appointed to this position unopposed.

Cr Stubbs reasserted that it was an exciting and defining time for the City of Busselton, but forecast challenges ahead.

He said the Council would be strictly following its Strategic Community Plan, Corporate Business Plan and 10-Year Financial Plan in the next term.

“I do believe over the next couple of years, funding for infrastructure and facilities for the City of Busselton is going to be an enormous issue because State and Federal governments don’t have a lot of funds available,” he said.

“Because of that change in funding we need to lift our rating a bit and we have to achieve the funds which will help us achieve what is in those documents.”

Cr Bennett also nominated the funding challenge as a focus in his first term, along with putting Dunsborough issues on the map.

He said he was honoured to have been chosen by the community.