Glenorchy poll ‘yes’ vote in support of cash splash for memorial pool
Not only did Glenorchy residents vote on a replacement for outgoing mayor Bec Thomas — but they also made clear their hopes for the future of the local pool. Here’s how they voted.
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Glenorchy voters have overwhelmingly showed support for saving their much loved memorial pool in an elector poll.
Two questions were posed to voters: Whether the council should urgently repair and reopen the pool with government funding, to which 89.02 per cent voted ‘yes’, and whether the council should apply for future government funds to redevelop the pool to serve the community in the long run, which attracted a 93.03 per cent ‘yes’ vote.
The council was promised $5m during the election to repair and reopen the pool.
The council is not bound by the outcome of the elector poll.
Meanwhile Sue Hickey was elected as Glenorchy mayor after counting for the by-election resumed on Saturday morning.
The election was triggered by the resignation of former mayor Bec Thomas, who is now a member of the Legislative Council.
Ms Hickey said she there were several issues she would focus on as new mayor.
“I will focus on cleaning up the city, repairing and reopening the Glenorchy Pool, addressing graffiti and anti-social behaviour, and fighting against racism,” she said.
“I want our city to be vibrant and safe for people to live, invest, and visit.
“Glenorchy is growing at approximately 500 people each year, and the average age of our population is around 40, so younger people will want to see modern amenities, affordable houses, more sports facilities, and job opportunities.”
Ms Hickey said she wanted to improve transparency on the council.
“The days of decision-making behind closed doors are over,” Ms Hickey said.
“Importantly, we no longer suffer from terminal debt, our rates are low, and the Council is well resourced with a passionate and highly qualified workforce.”
Ms Hickey has served on the Glenorchy City Council for nearly three years and has also spent time as an MP in the House of Assembly and as mayor of the Hobart City Council.
“I am told that I am the first Mayor to have been a Mayor of two cities,” she said.
“From my decade of local government, I know that councils play a vital role in the liveability of their city, so being open, transparent, and consultative is the best practice for me.”
And as counting wrapped up to fill the vacant councillor position, Justin Stringer managed to get ahead of Greens candidate Nina Hamasaki, who had led the vote early on.
Mr Stringer ended up with 53.5 per cent.
Originally published as Glenorchy poll ‘yes’ vote in support of cash splash for memorial pool