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Town welcomes new councillor

Courtney Fowler and Ben LeahyNorth West Telegraph
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New Hedland Councillor Lincoln Tavo has promised to help sustainably manage the $160 million income from the Town’s airport lease and increase the transparency of the council’s decisions after winning Saturday’s by-election.

Mr Tavo secured 587 votes to win a place on the Town of Port Hedland council, beating fellow candidates Warren McDonogh (409), former deputy mayor George Daccache (217) and Ronald Attwood (176).

Despite only one council seat being up for grabs, Mr Tavo’s win has potentially dramatic repercussions for local decision-making.

He could now wield a vital swing vote as he joins the eight sitting members, who often voted to a 4-4 tie on big issues.

He said he was looking forward to the challenges ahead and hoped to be a bridge between council factions.

“I thank (the) Port Hedland community for their support and am honoured to have been elected to represent our community,” he said.

“My focus will be to ensure the funds from the airport lease have a strategic plan set up to ensure Hedland gets the maximum benefit from the lease and to increase the transparency and accountability of council decisions.”

Mr Tavo’s election comes after a fever-pitched few months in local government politics.

Last October’s election of new Deputy Mayor Camilo Blanco and Crs Louise Newbery and Richard Whitwell shook up the dynamics of Hedland’s council.

They joined returning Cr Julie Arif and existing members Mayor Kelly Howlett and Crs David Hooper and Troy Melville.

Since then, the councillors have fought over the future of the North West Festival and whether to suspend Town chief executive Mal Osborne.

Yet they arguably face more difficult tasks ahead as they look to set rates charges in the wake of drops in property values and to set out a framework to manage the multi-million dollar income from the 50-year lease of Hedland Airport.

Mr Osborne welcomed Mr Tavo to the council and congratulated the other candidates on contesting the election.

With debate over local politics heating up in recent months, Mr Osborne also noted a slight upswing in voter turnout.

“In total, we had a turnout rate of 24.4 per cent, which compares to a turnout of 23.77 per cent rate in the 2015 election and 22.7 per cent in the 2012 extraordinary election,” he said.

With the next council meeting to be held on April 27 at 5.30pm and the agenda available on the Town’s website, Mr Osborne encouraged residents to continue to be involved in local politics and to welcome Mr Tavo into his new role.

“Mr Tavo’s swearing in ceremony will take place at 5.30pm on Tuesday, April 26,” he said.

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