Ex-mayor and 20-year councillor Bruce Harwood bids farewell to City Hall

Geelong has farewelled three outgoing councillors, including a respected ex-Mayor who has served for two decades.

Bruce Harwood during his time as Geelong mayor. Picture: Peter Ristevski

City Hall has farewelled three outgoing councillors, including an ex-Mayor who served for two decades.

The current City of Greater Geelong cohort met for the last time on Tuesday night, with the only order of business their annual report, which was passed unanimously.

The brief gathering was used to thank the departing trio, who announced they would not run for re-election

Among those was Bruce Harwood, who has sat on council for more than 20 years and served as the mayor twice.

He was also an acting mayor.

“He’s a long term resident of the Kardinia ward that he currently represents and was born and raised in Geelong,” current Mayor, Trent Sullivan, said.

“As an avid cyclist and former footballer, Bruce has tackled Geelong’s population growth head on during his time as councillor, advocating for sustainable development and community infrastructure.

Bruce Harwood. Picture: Alan Barber

“Bruce has also been a supporter of various local sporting clubs and community organisations (and) I thank Bruce for his many years as councillor, and his service to the general community.”

Fellow Kardinia elected local member, Belinda Maloney, and Bellarine ward councillor Jim Mason were also praised for their service.

“From 2020 to where we are now, the world is different, and I’d like to thank all of you for your term that you’ve put in,” Mr Sullivan said.

He then put forward the annual report, which the Geelong Advertiser reported on Sunday would see a significant increase in executive pay.

“We’ve sought to balance our longer term outlook with a desire to meet current day needs to the community,” Mr Sullivan said.

Bellarine councillor, Elise Wilkinson, said the report represents an “incredibly powerful amount of work.”

Councillor Peter Murrihy echoed her words, adding a snapshot of the “great job” council staff had done over the past year.

He said the city had awarded 240 grants worth $4m, spent $51.6m on renewal works, managed 380 public play spaces, delivered 95,000 hours of early childhood education and care and served more than 49,000 meals to vulnerable residents.

“We’ve replaced 12.9km of footpaths, resurfaced 45.5km of roads, managed and restored 1466 hectares of protected natural habitat, issued $1.4b worth of work permits, registered 46,740 dogs and undertook more than 3000 fire hazard inspections,” Mr Murrihy said.

With a grin, Mr Sullivan added “5000 potholes”.

This was the last meeting before a new council group descend on City Hall, which will include at least four new councillors.

Originally published as Ex-mayor and 20-year councillor Bruce Harwood bids farewell to City Hall