City of Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts JP has been elected President of WALGA, following the expiration of previous President Cr Lynne Craigie’s four-year term.

Elected at the State Council meeting last night, Mayor Roberts said she was proud to be elected to the position and was looking forward to advocating on behalf of Western Australian Councils.

“I’m extremely honoured to have been provided the opportunity to work with the Local Government sector as WALGA President,” Mayor Roberts said.

“Despite the challenges faced by the sector, Local Government has been a leading example in collaboration with State and Federal Governments to achieve better outcomes for the community – we seek to pave an ongoing path towards successful partnerships.”

Mayor Roberts has been a Mayor for nine years and a Councillor since 2003. She is the Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association, Deputy Chair of the National Growth Areas Alliance, WALGA Life Member and a Diploma of Local Government graduate.

In addition, Mayor Roberts is the patron and committee member of many clubs and volunteer groups.

Alongside Mayor Roberts, Shire of Morawa President Cr Karen Chappel was elected WALGA’s Deputy President.

Cr Chappel has been a President since 2009 and was first elected to the Shire of Morawa in 2005. A fellow WALGA Life Member and a graduate of the Local Government Diploma, she is also a member of the Local Government Advisory Board and was appointed twice by the Minister for Local Government to a mentoring team for Elected Members.

WALGA CEO Nick Sloan congratulated Mayor Roberts and Cr Chappel while thanking outgoing President Cr Lynne Craigie for her contribution over the past five years as WALGA President.

“Cr Craigie has made an outstanding contribution to the Local Government sector during her time as WALGA President,” Mr Sloan said.

“Achievements during her tenure include the formation of the State and Local Government Partnership Agreement, review of the Local Government Act, reinstatement of the Community Resource Centre funding and acknowledgement of our Association as one of the legislated training providers for Elected Members.

“In addition, she has successfully negotiated a number of funding agreements with other spheres of Government to benefit Local Government Members, in the challenging landscape of economic downturn.

“We thank Cr Craigie for her service and look forward to working together with Mayor Roberts to further advocate for WA members.