New Maribyrnong mayor Grant Miles intends to take the fight up to the state government over planning and transport issues.
The first-time councillor, elected unopposed at a special council meeting last Wednesday night, has inner-west truck traffic firmly in his sights.
Cr Miles (pictured in the council chamber) also wants to see the council improve its community consultation, an area he concedes still needs work.
“Being a councillor has been a pretty steep learning curve, but it’s been great to have a mix of new and experienced councillors,” he said.
“[Outgoing mayor Catherine Cumming] has taken us under her wing and I’m loving it. We all are.”
Cr Miles said he was proud to be leading Maribyrnong, “the gateway to the world’s most liveable city”.
“Footscray is being transformed by the University Town partnership with Victoria University, which will mean a lot for our future,” he said.
Cr Miles wants to see more done to tackle problem drinking and drugs as well as the heavy toll gambling takes on vulnerable communities, particularly in Braybrook.
He has called for more aggressive lobbying by the council on truck traffic and the need for action by VicRoads and the state government, especially Rroads and Transport Minister Terry Mulder.
Aware of criticism over community consultation, Cr Miles said it was important to bring residents into decision-making as early as possible.
“In past years, Maribyrnong council could have been better in that regard,” he said. “It can only benefit the council to bring people in from the start.”
“There’s still room for improvement, but it is improving.”
First-time independent councillor Nam Quach has been elected deputy mayor.
