New Queenscliffe mayor Donnie Grigau pledges to listen amid council shake-up
The Borough of Queenscliffe will bring a new mayor and deputy into the new year, as the council continues its hunt for a replacement chief executive.
The Borough of Queenscliffe has elected a new mayor unopposed.
Long-time Borough resident and councillor since 2020 Donnie Grigau was elected to the position for the first time at Wednesday night’s meeting.
Incumbent Di Rule elected not to contest following her 12-month term, as did the remaining three council members.
Ms Rule was elected unopposed as Mr Grigau’s deputy, taking over the position from councillor Brendan Monahan.
Both Mr Grigau and Ms Rule are Liberal Party members, with the former running unsuccessfully against Alison Marchant in the Bellarine electorate at the 2022 state election.
However, Mr Grigau, pledged to serve as a “spokesman” for the entire Borough in his acceptance speech.
“My aim is to support open discussion, good governance and decisions guided by evidence and community engagement,” he said.
“Our direction is already set by the community’s vision and council’s plan, and we’ll stay focused on what our ratepayers and community have asked us, this includes protecting and celebrating our heritage.
“You can expect a council that listens and communicates clearly.”
Mr Grigau received the most votes out of any council candidate last election with 637, and will be paid $89,323 as mayor next year.
Ms Rule, who received 391 votes, will make $44,661 as deputy.
Before vacating the chair at the top of the meeting, Ms Rule teased that “changes were afoot,” in regards to the mayor, deputy and chief executive.
Wednesday night’s meeting was the first since the council group voted to part ways with chief executive Martin Gill’s two weeks ago.
Mr Gill’s nearly $300,000 annual contract was mutually ripped up a year early following six years of service.
Ms Rule thanked Mr Gill for his commitment to the role.
“(Mr Gill has) made a significant contribution to our community and on behalf of all of us, I’d like to thank Martin and wish him all the best for the future,” she said.
The new mayor echoed these sentiments.
“I’d like to acknowledge that this year is a year of transition,” Mr Grigau said.
“I thank CEO Martin Gill for his service to the Borough.
“As we begin our recruitment of a new CEO, this council will work together to select a leader who supports our values and our community’s long term vision.”
Experienced council operator Michael Tudball was recently announced as acting chief executive, commencing later this month.
william.keech@news.com.au
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Originally published as New Queenscliffe mayor Donnie Grigau pledges to listen amid council shake-up
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