Thank you

As I exit Council House and prepare to enter State Parliament, I want to take time out to thank everyone for their assistance and support during my time as the 18th Lord Mayor of the City of Perth.

It has been the greatest privilege of my professional career to serve as Lord Mayor, an opportunity and a responsibility both my family and I will never forget.

I loved being Lord Mayor of this city.  I loved being a champion for the residents and businesses of the greatest city in the world.  We fought some good fights and had some fun along the way.
When I first arrived in October 2020, along with Councillors Gobbert, Ko, Lezer and Bevan – and then new CEO Michelle Reynolds - the City of Perth’s reputation was shot.

But our new Council and new management began a recovery mission and I think we can all be very pleased with the considerable progress we have made.

So the burning question I often get asked is, what's your proudest achievement in your nearly five years as Lord Mayor.  There are lots to choose from, but consider the following:

  • the activation of the City
  • our world-class events program
  • consistently lowest rate rises of any major Perth Council
  • the completion of the new Local Planning Scheme
  • all those trees and shrubs we have planted
  • our parking incentives and new technology roll-out
  • the increased population of our City with the pathway established for many more residents
  • our stoic fight on behalf of the ratepayers for the WACA pool, Perth Parking Levy and Queens Garden carpark land,
  • the brave and bold Riverfront Masterplan
  • the many millions of dollars we raised for people in need through the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund
  • bringing the world to the City and taking the City to the world through the World Energy Cities Partnership