Former deputy mayor Jo Westwood has been elected mayor of Kingborough, four years after leaving the council.
In 2022, she chose not to run again, saying the deputy mayor’s role was too much to juggle alongside another job and raising young children.
Tasmanian Electoral Commission figures show Westwood won 57.2% of the vote after preferences, while sitting councillor Aldo Antolli finished on 42.8%.
“I am incredibly proud to be elected as Kingborough’s next mayor,” she told Pulse in a statement.
Westwood was deputy mayor from 2018 to 2022. She took 38.7% of first preferences, ahead of Antolli on 35%.
Once Greens councillor Gideon Cordover and new candidate Kim Phillips were excluded, her lead grew to 3,419 votes.
She said voters had been clear about what they wanted fixed first.
“When it comes to planning, I have heard very loudly that the community expects better outcomes from council and it is up to us to ensure we respond, deliver and do better,” she said.
“More than anything we need a system that streamlines residential approvals and gets more homes built faster.”
The council released an independent review of its planning services in September.
It made 45 recommendations, including cutting down on requests for extra information that slow down applications. Westwood said she would oversee the changes.
She also wants builders, developers, planners, real estate agents and residents to be able to give feedback at any time, not just during consultation periods.
Her other big target is Blackmans Bay Beach. The middle section was downgraded to poor in July and the southern end has had a no-swim warning for years.
“Our community deserves to enjoy and use our beaches and simply telling people they can’t is not a long-term solution,” she said.
She plans to bring the key players together to find the cause of the pollution and agree on a fix.
Westwood also thanked Christian Street, who has been acting mayor since Paula Wriedt stepped down on May 27.
“He has provided the steady leadership our community needed during this transition period,” she said.
Counting for deputy mayor is continuing, with Will Perry leading on 39.3% of first preferences at 3pm.
