The elected leadership team of the WA Local Government Association has been retained at a meeting of the organisation’s State Council last night.

WALGA President Cr Lynne Craigie and Deputy President Mayor Tracey Roberts were required to seek re-election as their interim terms had expired.

Previously they were elected at a special meeting in July last year for the interim period following previous president Mayor Troy Pickard stepping down early after being elected to head the national Australian Local Government Association.

WALGA CEO Ricky Burges believed the re-election of the leadership team reflected a focussed effort to connect with the sector during the interim period.

“As President Cr Lynne Craigie told the meeting last night, in her short time as President she had been committed to engaging across the membership and sector,” Ms Burges said.

“There are innumerable expectations on Local Governments and their elected members which is no less true for the President of the Association.

“Already Cr Craigie has demonstrated that she wants to listen to Member Councils and understand the nuances in their diversity.

“Cr Craigie has a measured and inclusive approach and is committed to enhancing the Association’s role in working for Local Government in WA.

Ms Burges believed the backgrounds and communities represented by Cr Craigie, who is also East Pilbara Shire President, and Mayor Roberts, from the City of Wanneroo, provided a necessary diversity of experience and insight.

“It is the WALGA convention to have both regional and metropolitan representation on the leadership team to help reflect the diversity of the sector in WA,” she said.

“The re-election of the leadership team should be a key step in helping ensure WALGA gives full consideration to the variety of circumstances and aspirations of all WA Local Governments.”