Robert Bria to stand for fifth term as Norwood, Payneham & St Peters mayor as Unley chooses new leader

ROBERT Bria will run for a fifth term as mayor of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, while Unley Council is set to choose its new leader at a meeting next week.

Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Mayor Robert Bria in front of the town hall. Picture: Sam Wundke

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ROBERT Bria will run for a fifth term as mayor of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters in November.

He said says there are still things to achieve in the position, which he has held since 2005.

“We’re on track with a number of major projects — however, I think there’s still a few other projects such as The Parade masterplan and Norwood Oval I want to see through,” he said.

Mr Bria was elected unopposed in 2014.

He is the second-longest serving mayor in Adelaide, behind John Trainer, who is retiring after 18 years as West Torrens mayor.

“I don’t only offer experience and stability, I think I offer a very positive can-do attitude and am very excited about the future of our city,” Mr Bria, 48, said.

Mr Bria said he “probably never will” run for State Parliament.

Unley Mayor Lachlan Clyne and deputy mayor Don Palmer. Source: File

Unley deputy mayor Don Palmer has flagged his intention to run for the top job, which is expected to be vacated by Lachlan Clyne at next Monday’s council meeting.

He has been undertaking mayoral duties for the past four months, after Mr Clyne took leave to focus on his campaigning as Liberal candidate for the state seat of Badcoe.

Cr Palmer said continuing on in his role made sense ahead of the council’s November election.

“People may be confused and maybe even disillusioned if, after three months, who replaced the mayor is going to be replaced,” he said.

Burnside mayor David Parkin said he had not given running for a third term “a moment’s thought”.

“I’ve done two terms — or eight years — and maybe Burnside deserves a rest,” he said.

He was first elected in 2010, in a crowded field, and then re-elected unopposed in 2014.