The new Cardinia Shire Council, from left, Bill Pearson, Brett Owen, Bill Ronald, Kate Lempriere, Doug Hamilton, Graeme Legge and Ed Chatwin.By Paul Dunlop
THE dynamics of Cardinia Shire Council has dramatically changed after Saturday’s poll.
Three new councillors and the shock defeat of mayor Garry Runge were part of an extraordinary election result.
Pakenham councillor Bill Ronald has suddenly gone from marginalised ‘maverick’ to man of the moment and likely new mayor.
Despite a turbulent year in which he was the focus of continuing controversy, Cr Ronald scored a massive vote of support from the community and has established a new position of strength on the council.
Other poll winners were councillors Kate Lempriere, Graeme Legge and Doug Hamilton and Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association aligned newcomers Brett Owen, Ed Chatwin and Bill Pearson.
Losing their seats along with Mr Runge were Helen Ward and Leonora Cox.
The new-look seven-member council was sworn in on Monday before a crowded gallery who loudly applauded the result, with the biggest cheers reserved for Cr Ronald.
Residents were promised a new style of governance, with councillors saying they were optimistic about the future.
Cr Ronald is the hot favourite for the position of mayor, to be decided next Monday, and may even be unopposed.
That scenario would have been unthinkable just two months ago when he pleaded guilty in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court to assaulting chief executive officer Don Welsh.
Cr Ronald also remains the subject of an ongoing Local Government Victoria investigation over alleged breaches of the Local Government Act.
He said the election result showed that voters were not interested in what he claimed was a campaign to discredit him.
Cr Ronald said people wanted to see the council getting on with its role in representing the wishes of the community.
“I stand for the community before anything else and I can deliver the goods,” Cr Ronald said.
“The old council was obviously out of touch with the people and this new council will change that.
“It won’t happen overnight but we will sit down sensibly, as a team, and re-assess what has gone on and what should be going on.”
Cr Pearson said it was great to be back after previously serving a term with the former Pakenham Shire.
Cr Owen and Cr Chatwin said they were thrilled by their results.
Of course, it remains yet to be seen how the council will work together over the next three years with some former rivals now becoming colleagues.
Cr Lempriere said she believed there was potential for a good balance and urged her fellow councillors to look at the ‘wheres, hows and whys’ before making any major decisions about the council’s direction.
“It will be interesting.
“I hope we all do our best for this wonderful shire,” she said.
Cr Hamilton said he would be working his hardest to ensure the council worked well together.
“If everybody does that, it should work,” he said.
Cr Legge said he would continue to judge issues on their merits and serve the interests of the entire Cardinia community.
Mr Runge, mayor for the past two years, declined to comment on the result.
Ms Cox said she was concerned Cardinia could go backwards over the next three years.
Mr Welsh said it would be inappropriate for the CEO to discuss an election outcome.
CRRA president Gloria O’Connor said it was a tremendous result.
