Merri-bek City Council elects Mayor for 2024-25

Councillor Helen Davidson has been elected Mayor for the 2024-25 Council year at a Council meeting on Wednesday 20 November. This will be Cr Davidson’s second term as Mayor since being elected to Council in 2012. Cr Helen Politis has been elected Deputy Mayor after joining Council this year.

“I know 2025 will be an exciting time for Merri-bek as we work on a new four-year Council Plan. I’m looking forward to creating safer streets for everyone, focusing on quality services for residents and continuing our efforts around encouraging social and affordable housing, and addressing climate change,” Cr Davidson said.

As Mayor, Cr Davidson is eager to see the completion of major Council projects in 2024-25, including the $36.9 million Fawkner Leisure Centre set to open in December this year and the $29 million cultural and community hub in Brunswick, which is set to open in the summer of 2025.

Cr Davidson said Council’s work goes well beyond rates, roads and rubbish; with Council providing more than 150 services for the community including much-loved maternal and child health services, libraries, in-home aged care, and support services for young people in Merri-bek. These services provide tangible benefits to our residents, having a positive impact on their day-to-day lives.

“In addition to high-quality service provision, Council will continue taking the right steps to empower everyone in our community with ground-breaking initiatives such as our Community Connectors Program, which is working to ensure our proudly diverse community is able to enjoy the full-breadth of services and opportunities in Merri-bek,” Cr Davidson said.

“We are taking the right steps to make our streets safer and accessible for everybody by reducing speed limits and upgrading roads and footpaths.

“And we will continue our work on environmental and sustainability initiatives, working towards zero carbon emissions for a healthier climate in Merri-bek.

“I look forward to working alongside my Councillor colleagues, Council officers and our community to represent the best interests of Merri-bek. Together we will work together to support the needs, interest and aspirations of the great city of Merri-bek.”

Newly elected Deputy Mayor Cr Politis thanked the community and Councillor colleagues for the opportunity to work alongside the Mayor as Deputy for the first year of this new Council term.

“This is a great opportunity to serve as the first Deputy Mayor in this new Council term. Together with the Mayor and my Councillor colleagues, our goal will be to listen and act in the best interests of the Merri-bek community,” Cr Politis said.