New Mayor for Glenelg Shire Council

Published on 08 November 2023

Councillor Karen Stephens was tonight elected as the next Mayor of Glenelg Shire.

It is the third term as Mayor for Cr Stephens, following one-year stints in 2004-05 and 2012-13.

The Casterton-based Councillor was first elected to Council in 2002.

She takes over as Mayor from Cr Scott Martin, who held the role for 2022-23.

Cr Stephens, who was elected unopposed and will serve a one-year term, said she thanked her fellow Councillors for the opportunity to serve as Mayor again.

“We have many challenges and opportunity ahead of us to address and develop this year but Council will deliver the Council Plan providing economic prosperity and sustainable financial management and make a Glenelg Shire that people are proud of,” Cr Stephens said.

“Each day council delivers over 120 services to the community with our dedicated staff undertaking the role of providing high quality services throughout the whole of the shire community.

“The pledge to the people of Glenelg is that I will lead a Council that listens to the community, communicates with the community, and delivers to the needs of the community in a manner that is respectful and with integrity.”

Councillors voted not to elect a Deputy Mayor.

Meeting dates and times were also confirmed at tonight’s meeting and there is one major change.

Monthly Council meetings will now start at 5.30pm, as opposed to 7pm previously.

Councillors also voted to continue taking two meetings a year out of Portland – these will be held in Merino in March 2024 and Casterton in September 2024.