At least two Maribyrnong councillors will call it quits in the lead-up to October’s local government election.
Independent councillor and former mayor Grant Miles will join incumbent mayor Cameron McDonald in stepping down. Councillor Nam Quach is yet to confirm his intention, leaving four of the current councillors to recontest the election.
Cr McDonald said he had come to council with a list of things he wanted to do, including a focus on Pipemaker’s Park and the riverfront.
“It’s been great, but I don’t want to hang around just for the sake of it,” he said.
“Now everything I wanted to do is either done or has a plan.”
Cr Miles confirmed he would also step down.
“Five years ago, I said if I was successful I would only remain for one term, and I won’t be changing anything about that.”
Cr Quach said he is focused on seeing out the balance of this term.
“I haven’t had too much time to think about the election, but I do encourage anyone who is thinking about running to have a crack. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you are, anyone can make a difference.”
Incumbent Labor councillors Michael Clarke and Martin Zakharov (Yarraville ward) and Sarah Carter (River ward) will all be re-contesting their positions, along with independent councillor of almost 20 years, Catherine Cumming (Stony Creek ward).
Taking another tilt for Labor will be former councillors John Cumming in River ward and Cuc Lam in Stony Creek, while the party has also endorsed Pam Mulready in Yarraville and Karimm Degal in Stony Creek.
The Greens will be fielding Simon Crawford in Yarraville, Georgia Webster in River and Daniel Cash in Stony Creek.
Independent candidates who have announced their intention to run include West Welcome Wagon founder Mia McGregor (Yarraville), Elisa Kim Huynh (Stony Creek) and Yarraville Village Says No to Paid Parking convenor Megan Darling (Stony Creek).
Ms Darling said she would like to put any past animosity over the paid parking issue behind her and work with other councillors on dealing with rapid change and growth in Maribyrnong.
The next local government elections will be conducted by mail on Saturday, October 22.
Nominations close at noon September 20.
