City of Stirling mayor Mark Irwin will be heading into the local government elections facing a familiar opponent.
Cr Elizabeth Re, who has represented the Doubleview ward since 2005, has thrown her hat in the ring again for the top job of the largest local government area in the State.
This will be the second time the two have faced off for the role. They were part of a field of six candidates in 2019 for the first popular election of the city’s mayor.
Mr Irwin received 14,903 votes, followed by Cr Re on 8775.
Mr Irwin was first voted in as mayor by his fellow councillors in 2017.
“When you are an incumbent, you can’t win an election by standing in front of the people and campaigning, you have got to deliver day-in day-out,” Mr Irwin told PerthNow in April.
“I’ve been mayor now for six years and I think what I’ve shown is the ability to take an organisation like Stirling and improve its culture, improve its efficiency and productivity and its reputation throughout the community.
“It’s fair to say it’s one of the highest-performing councils now. The last customer satisfaction rating was around 94 per cent.”
In his latest election statement, he has vowed to keep the “thriving” City of Stirling “on track”, pointing to achievements under his tenure.
“During my term as mayor the city has thrived, undergoing significant change, now recognised for transparency, accountability and customer service,” he said.
“I have led the council to increase investment in community facilities, reduce red tape and slash legal expenses whilst delivering the lowest ever rate increases in our history.”
Mr Iwrin said in April he “wouldn’t be surprised” if one of the city’s councillors put their hand up for the mayor role.
Cr Re said she wanted to make Stirling the State’s “most liveable” government area by “unlocking the potentials the city has to offer”.
She referenced her experience in both the public and private sectors.
“I believe with my background and experience in government and corporate companies both as an officer and as a board member that I have a lot of knowledge and experience that would be an asset to the city, especially my background in sustainability and auditing to enhance the capabilities of the city to make it the best liveable city for everyone,” Cr Re said on Tuesday.
There were four nominations for the Balga ward: Elizabeth Ogilvie, Ram Tin Thie, Amy Blitvich and incumbent Michael Dudek.
Nominations for the Coastal ward were received from Colleen Pearce, Rob Paparde and Simon Wheeler. Cr Felicity Farrelly did not re-nominate.
Deputy mayor Stephanie Jane Proud will recontest her seat in the Doubleview ward against John Noakes and Tonia Poggioli.
Lynne Noack and Catherine Fowler have nominated for the Hamersley ward against sitting Cr Chris Hatton.
There are two positions up for grabs in the Inglewood ward after Cr Bianca Sandri’s recent resignation. Nominations have been received from Damien Giudici, sitting Cr David Lagan, Sophie Morrison and Daniela Ion.
In the Lawley ward, ratepayers will get to choose between sitting councillor Joe Ferrante and Belinda Evangelista.
There are four nominations for the Osborne ward: current Cr Lisa Thornton and newcomers Wayne Dropulich, Sergio Famiano and Mary Argese.