Mayor and Councillors
On this page:
Council wards
There are 11 Councillors elected from specific areas across the Merri-bek, called wards.
Merri-bek has three wards:
- North-East Ward – 4 Councillors
- North-West Ward – 4 Councillors
- South Ward - 3 Councillors
Find your Council ward and your representatives
A detailed map of Merri-bek wards, as well as other electoral boundaries, is available on the Victorian Electoral Commission website.
Mayor and Councillors
Mayor of Merri-bek
Mayor: Cr Adam Pulford
Cr Adam Pulford was elected as Mayor at the Council Meeting on 15 November 2023.
The Mayor is elected for a one-year term.
Deputy Mayor: Cr Lambros Tapinos
Cr Lambros Tapinos was elected as Deputy Mayor at the Council Meeting on 15 November 2023.
North-East Ward Councillors
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Mobile: 0417 835 793
Email: APulford@merri-bek.vic.gov.auResponsible for:
- Climate and Nature
- Human Rights
Advisory and external committees:
- Audit and Risk Committee
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Coburg Square Oversight Committee
- Coburg Advisory Group
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) Executive
Meet your Councillor
I was born in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, and now call Merri-bek home. I love Merri-bek’s progressive and diverse community. My vision for Merri-bek is one of healthy, thriving and connected neighbourhoods, where everybody feels welcome.
I am a passionate campaigner for social and environmental justice, and I will be a strong local voice for our community.
I will work hard to:
- secure more active and public transport
- create more parks and open spaces
- improve our community services
- act on climate and protect the local environment
- tackle economic equality
- champion our diversity
- protect what we love about Merri-bek.
Our community is under increasing pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting recession, the climate crisis and a growing population. I want to support the Merri-bek community to tackle these challenges and take on the big issues impacting our municipality.
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Mobile: 0418 263 525
Email: ACarliHannan@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Responsible for:
- Early Years
- Older Persons
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Coburg Square Oversight Committee
- Coburg Advisory Group
- Northern Councils Alliance (substitute)
Meet your Councillor
I have lived in Merri-bek all my life. I work in Carer Services at Merri Health and hold a Master’s degree in social work. I love contributing to my community.
During this council term I want to:
- improve community engagement
- invest in early years and aged services
- create more open space and upgrade sporting facilities
- create social enterprises
- build affordable housing.
I am committed to investing in our community infrastructure and striving to make Merri-bek affordable for everyone. It is important to have sensible development with good environmental standards, a good standard of living for our residents and open space.
Merri-bek is a great place to live, work, and play. But we know that there is always more work to be done. As a team at Council, we will be up for the challenge and together we will make Merri-bek an even better city to live in.
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Mobile: 0409 200 418
Email: HPavlidisM@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Responsible for:
- Multiculturalism
- Older Persons
- Women
Advisory and external committees:
- Age-friendly Reference Group
- CEO Employment Matters Committee
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Coburg Square Oversight Committee
- Coburg Advisory Group
- Merri-bek Community Recognition Committee (Merri-bek Awards).
Meet your Councillor
Merri-bek is a proud and diverse community that celebrates a rich cultural heritage, endeavours to live sustainably, pursues healthy lifestyles, appreciates the arts and many other activities which form the substance of vibrant civic life.
Born in Brunswick, having lived in Pascoe Vale and now a resident of Coburg for over 25 years, my family and I have had the privilege of seeing Merri-bek evolve.
My professional background covers the accounting and local government sectors.
Priorities over the next 4 years include:
- opposing inappropriate development
- maximising value for ratepayer dollars
- improving traffic and parking congestion
- upgrading road, footpath and bicycle path infrastructure
- protecting and expanding our parks and open space
- support local traders
- graffiti removal
- waste management enhancements
- improving and increasing council services for all ages and stages of life within Merri-bek.
Together we can make Merri-bek a better place to live, work and play.
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Mobile: 0417 583 664
Email: SBolton@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Responsible for:
- Human Rights
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment Matters Committee
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Coburg Advisory Group
- Human Rights and Inclusion Advisory Committee
- Disability Working Group (a working group of the Human Rights and Inclusion Committee) and the Reconciliation Working Group (a working group of the Human Rights and Inclusion Committee).
Meet your Councillor
Moreland's diverse community attracts people to live here. We are in danger of losing this diversity because the high cost to rent or buy housing is forcing people out. I will do whatever I can to stop people from being pushed out just because they are on a low income.
The huge amount of development in Merri-bek is changing our neighbourhoods. I will fight to protect the community's right to have a genuine say over development.
We need to end the war between cyclists and drivers so that we can look after the safety of everyone on our roads and footpaths, especially the most vulnerable – pedestrians, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.
Our summers are becoming hotter with more days of extreme heat. We need to help people cope with extreme heat as well as expand actions to tackle the climate emergency. This includes an increase in green space.
North-West Ward Councillors
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Mobile: 0417 854 518
Email: APanopoulos@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Responsible for:
- Climate and Nature
- Economic Development
- Human Rights
- Multiculturalism
- Urban Planning
- Young People
Advisory and External committees:
- Audit and Risk Committee
- CEO Employment Matters Committee
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Glenroy Advisory Group
- Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee
- Human Rights and Inclusion Advisory Committee
Meet your Councillor
I’m a lifelong Glenroy local and am so thrilled to represent my home, the North-West. All my life, I have felt the divide between Merri-bek’s north and south. This is changing, but there’s still more to do. I am a passionate local who is genuinely committed to listening and getting to work.
I’m proud to have been elected as a Greens Councillor and aim to bring the values of social justice, sustainability and grassroots democracy to Council. We need to bridge the gap between Council and the community, and this is what I aim to do. But this can’t be done alone. Please get in touch with me, and let’s make Merri-bek a better place for all, no matter where you live. Together, let’s create a Merri-bek we can all be proud of.
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Mobile: 0403 709 948
Email: HDavidson@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Responsible for:
- Sport and Recreation
- Women
Advisory and External committees:
- CEO Employment Matters Committee
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Glenroy Advisory Group
- Moreland Community Recognition Committee (Moreland Awards)
Meet your Councillor
I am a lifelong resident of the North-West Ward and a passionate community member. I commit to continue to act with integrity, listening to resident concerns and being a powerful voice for the people of Merri-bek.
I believe, now more than ever, rate relief is essential. My priorities will include revitalising the local economy, particularly small family-run businesses impacted by COVID-19. I want to increase spending on footpaths, local roads and bike paths, and create more open spaces. I also want to ensure that our aged services are meeting the needs of the elderly.
I will focus on improving children’s services, particularly maternal child and health service facility upgrades. I will ensure that our public libraries keep pace with modern demands. I will continue to improve sporting facilities with special priority to providing female change rooms to further increase female participation. -
Mobile: 0413 850 357
Email: OYildiz@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Responsible for:
- Sport and Recreation
Advisory and External committees:
- CEO Employment Matters Committee
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Glenroy Advisory Group
Meet your Councillor
Local government is the closest to the community and as we rebuild in the face of one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime, COVID-19, local leadership matters more than ever. Our dynamic city is facing unprecedented times requiring us to refocus and lead with clarity and stability. Since 2008 as Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor, I’ve demonstrated honesty without ambiguity. I’ve led with consistent and reliable communications and delivered on my promises.
I understand this community not because I live in it but because I actively listen to the locals. I have an open-door policy and will continue to tirelessly for the Merri-bek community. I bring to this role integrity, knowledge, experience, responsiveness and passion. With me, what you see is what you get, there are no hidden agendas, factional links or party politics.
Over the next 4 years, I pledge to ensure the council plan is delivered and some of my passions are to:
- increase community safety
- redevelop sports pavilions and facilities
- increase childcare and kindergarten places
- improve home help services for the elderly
- removal of graffiti and dumped rubbish
- green and improve parks
- upgrade footpaths, roads and bike paths
- address youth issues
- advocate for affordable housing
- ensure developments are appropriate
- plant more trees, be sustainable and environmentally reflective
- support small business.
I will continue to raise the standards of Council by delivering on the issues that matter. I won’t shy away from hard work and will continue to roll up my sleeves and get things done. I won't support any cuts to services and will actively listen, reflect and focus on delivering tangible outcomes for the Merri-bek community.
I thank the voters for the opportunity and the trust they have in me to represent them for the next 4 years.
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Mobile: 0437 019 401
Email: MHarte@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Cr Monica Harte was elected as Councillor for the North-West Ward on Wednesday 23 March 2022.
South Ward Councillors
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Mobile: 0409 279 335
Email: JConlan@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Advisory and External committees:
- CEO Employment Matters Committee
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Saxon Street Oversight Committee
- Brunswick Advisory Group
- Sustainable Transport Advisory Committee
- Merri Creek Management Committee
- Metropolitan Transport Forum
Meet your Councillor
Thank you for electing me to represent you on Council. I’m very excited to get to work!
I am passionate about the environment, social justice, and sustainable transport, and have witnessed firsthand the power of what community-building and advocacy can achieve through my local campaigning and volunteering. In 2019, I co-led the campaign to save Gandolfo Gardens from the Level Crossing Removal Project. I’m also a former town planner and the ex-Convenor of the Merri-bek Bicycle User Group.
On Council, I’ll be pursuing planning reform, sustainable transport, climate action, social equity, and solidarity with First Nations people and the queer community.
I’d love to hear your feedback and ideas about how we can make Merri-bek marvelous.
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Mobile: 0433 419 075
Email: LTapinos@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Advisory and External committees:
- CEO Employment Matters Committee
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Saxon Street Oversight Committee
- Brunswick Advisory Group
- CERES (Board)
Meet your Councillor
I was born and raised in Brunswick. I want to continue assisting the Merri-bek community with the COVID-19 recovery, including supporting local businesses.
I want to bring community groups and artists together to build a new community hub at Saxon Street in Brunswick. I am looking forward to the redevelopment of one of Brunswick East’s favourite parks, Fleming Park.
I am excited about creating new parks in our community. Our A Park Close to Home program has already had great success and I’m looking forward to seeing more parks come to Merri-bek as we work towards our goal of every resident living within walking distance of a park.
I want to look after those most vulnerable in our community, providing essential services like Meals on Wheels so many older Australians can stay in their homes longer. People must always be at the centre of our decision making.
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Mobile: 0499 807 044
Email: MRiley@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Responsible for:
- Arts and Culture
Advisory and External committees:
- CEO Employment Matters Committee
- Communications and Engagement Councillor Group
- Coburg Square Oversight Committee (Chair)
- Saxon Street Oversight Committee
- Moreland Community Recognition Committee (Moreland Awards)
- Moreland Arts Advisory Committee
- Friends of Aileu Community Committee
- Metropolitan Local Government's Waste Forum
- Northern Councils Alliance
Meet your Councillor
I teach and I am really concerned about the Climate Emergency, yet so many residents are stepping up to this challenge. I want to support their efforts to create a cooler city with improved biodiversity. I see residents changing habits to reduce their environmental footprint and waste and to grow food and re-wild their nature strips and gardens. I want to support more of that.
My key priorities for the next 4 years include:
- to implement Council’s goals of zero carbon by 2040 and zero waste by 2030, on time or ahead of time
- to ensure the new Nature Plan is implemented and that our public and private open spaces and gardens are rewilded
- to listen, engage and work with the community as we improve the city’s liveability – better, cooler, walking, riding, and exercising options.
The COVID-19 epidemic requires us to work together and leave no one behind as we recover together.