Sorell councillor Meg Brown resigns after buying a house in a different municipality
A Tasmanian councillor has been forced to step down after a making a personal decision for her family. Why she had to resign.
Tasmania
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A Sorell councillor, described by the mayor as “a breath of fresh air”, has resigned.
Meg Brown, 31, was elected to the council on her first attempt last year getting more number one votes that two sitting councillors.
She said she had resigned reluctantly on Friday after moving from Sorell to buy a house in Warrane to “support my family”.
“I am very disappointed because I was elected to do a job and I won’t be able to see it out,” Ms Brown said.
“I loved Sorell. My partner Michael’s family have strong ties with the municipality and the Dodges Ferry community.
“As a councillor, I was committed to making a difference. I managed to get some street lights fixed, a change table in a public toilet fixed, met with local community groups and residents and went to a lot of community events and forums.”
Under the local government act a councillor must pay rates in the municipality they represent.
Mayor Kerry Vincent said Ms Brown would be missed.
“I am sorry to see her go because she was a breath of fresh air and had a good brain,” he said.
“Meg was a careful thinker and thought about what she said and was a very genuine person.
“She represented the next generation coming through and it is often hard to get young people involved in local government.
“Meg had all the potential in the world.”
A recount will be held to replace her.
Ms Brown, who has two young children, said she was still involved in the community and is helping a Rokeby Neighbourhood House organise a nappy drive to help young families.
“It breaks my heart to see people suffering so hopefully we can help with the nappy drive,” she said.
The Sorell municipality is one of Tasmania’s fastest growing, attracting a growing number of young families in the past 10 years.
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