From vocal critic to deputy mayor

New councillor Camilo Blanco last month completed a remarkable transition from vocal council critic to Town of Port Hedland deputy mayor.

Cr Blanco steps into the deputy mayor role on a two-year term after securing five votes from fellow councillors, ahead of councillor David Hooper on three votes.

Cr Blanco’s transformation from outsider to influential figure inside the Town’s corridors followed an active — and at times bitter — campaign throughout 2015.

Along with new councillor Louise Newberry, he joined the Port Hedland Ratepayers Association to campaign against the lease of Hedland’s airport and the Town’s policy for levying rates charges on local properties.

He also attacked Town chief executive Mal Osborne, publicly alleging he had misused a corporate credit card.

However, the Department of Local Government and Communities found in May there was no evidence of wrongdoing by any individual in the matter.

The Telegraph then reported in July that Mr Osborne had initiated a legal demand against Cr Blanco.

Mr Osborne issued Cr Blanco with a notice asking him to make an offer of amends for what Mr Osborne alleged were defamatory remarks made by Cr Blanco on his Pilbara Your Voice Facebook page.

TheTelegraph understands the matter is ongoing.

Yet despite the acrimonious history, the new council last week held productive discussions about items due for consideration at tonight’s council meeting.

This included discussions about a grant for equipment upgrades at the Matt Dann theatre and refurbishment designs for the Civic Centre offices.

Cr Blanco also challenged Town staff over the way they had written a particular item on the council meeting document.

The item relates to who has the ultimate authority to approve certain planning decisions in Hedland, but Cr Blanco said Town staff had not informed councillors of all the options.

Cr Blanco also indicated he would to consider rejecting companies that had sought to win a Town contract to dispose waste tyres in favour of local companies.

Mr Osborne replied the tender process had gone too far now and the companies could ask the Town to repay their costs if it was proven it had never had a genuine desire to appoint a winning tender.