I say thank you to the residents and elected representatives of Randwick City Council for the privilege of being it’s Mayor for the last 12 months.
I specifically thank my fellow Green Councillors Margaret Woodsmith and Bradley Hughes who have given me advice and support.
Anyone who has ever been the Mayor comes to realise the debt that they owe to their partners who have to shoulder, often silently, the shared strains of the job. So I would like to express my appreciation to Leeza, the Lady Mayoress who has supported me during the past 12 months no matter what unnecessary complication that I brought into our lives including deciding to run for the state seat of Maroubra.
I acknowledge the level of confidence shown me by the Randwick-Botany Greens when they endorsed me for the position last year.
The local Greens have tried to apply an inclusive sharing approach to deciding the Mayoralty question every year since 2004 in an effort to leave behind adversarial politics with the Labor and Liberal parties.
Accordingly, this year I have stated that I intend to vote for Liberal Councillor Scott Nash as the next Mayor - and it should come as no surprise to anyone that I will keep my word tonight.
Over the last 8 years I have similarly given my word to support Liberal Councillor Ted Seng, Labor Councillor Paul Tracey, Liberal Councillor Bruce Notley-Smith and Labor Councillor Tony Bowen – and I have delivered on every one of these promises as has have my two Green colleagues.
Should Cr Nash be successful tonight I will have helped entrust the Council to him in the knowledge that our splendid General Manager Ray Brownlee will always be there for him as he was for me and every other Mayor since he took up the job.
I put before you a Mayoral Minute featuring achievements over the 12 months of my mayoralty. Some I can claim credit for initiating while others are the fruition of the work of previous Mayors.
The past 12 months have been a time of considerable improvements and progress for the residents of Randwick City.
Council remains in a sound financial position. We have dedicated and productive staff, no debt, a balanced budget, low rates, high quality services, and an extensive capital works program.
We have continued our reputation for openness and transparency and dedication to community consultation.
The economic, administrative, consultative and environmental reforms that were initiated by a key block of Councillors under my first Mayoralty in 2004 were elaborated on and added to by every Mayor since. This reform process was thus essentially over by the time of my second Mayoralty last year.
This has left me free to concentrate on some personal policy areas including campaigning strongly for the return of light rail to Randwick.
This year marks 50 years since the tram lines on Anzac Parade were removed. For me personally it 18 years since I first started campaigning for the return of Light Rail while contesting the seat of Kingsford Smith.
With a new State Government committed to a light rail feasibility study I feel we are closer than ever to getting rail transport for Randwick City.
We have signed agreements with major stakeholders like UNSW and The Australian Turf Club and we are working closely with them to bring light rail back.
I have received positive feedback from the many local business owners I have door-knocked who can see the economic benefits that better transport brings.
I am also extremely grateful that this year Councillors voted to accept my suggestion that we look at purchasing carbon offsets as a means of reducing our Green House gas emissions.
This surely makes Randwick one of the first Council’s to embrace the new initiatives being shown in this Country towards the reduction of Green House gas emissions.
I know that there is common support for the setting of a price on carbon pollution from both of the major parties even if there is dispute over how much that price should be and whether it should be set by a carbon tax.
I thank you all for a most interesting 12 months and I wish the next Mayor the very best of support.
Murray Matson, Outgoing Randwick City Council Mayor (2011)