Burnie returns Steve Kons as mayor for a third time

BURNIE residents knew what they were voting for when the elected Steve Kons as mayor ... this is his third time back in the job.

Steve Kons is back for his third stint as Burnie Mayor.

DIEHARD Burnie politician Steve Kons is back — again.

The perennial politico has been elected mayor of Burnie, for the third time.

Alderman Kons was voted Burnie mayor in 2011, and before that in 1996. In the years in between, he was in state politics, as a Labor MP for Braddon and deputy premier from 2006 to 2008.

Ald Kons said his lengthy background in politics meant people knew what they were voting for.

“The people know what I’m like, they know I have a vision for this place,” he said.

“I don’t sit back and take it easy — I like chasing ideas.

“People have decided to back me on that.”

Since his last stint as mayor, Ald Kons has juggled being an alderman on Burnie Council with a full load of other business interests. He runs a bottle shop, has accommodation business and property development.

“I fill my days in pretty well,” he said.

He was elected with 55.92 per cent of the vote after the distribution of preferences. His closest rival was demographer Amina Keygan with 44 per cent. The incumbent, Alwyn Boyd, received 21.67 per cent of first preference votes.

Ald Kons said he was committed to injecting the municipality with energy and confidence, because great things were happening in the region but an awareness of the strengths was lacking.

“In the last four years, it’s been a bit sedated here,” he said.

“It’s time to bring the focus back to the great things happening here.”

He said the University of Tasmania’s new $40 million Burnie campus would begin construction soon, and a new hardwood mill for the Coast would bring jobs.

“There are a lot of positives here, and I want to help people see those positives,” he said.

In Launceston, incumbent mayor Albert van Zetten has kept his role with 51.82 per cent of the vote after preferences. In Devonport, acting mayor Annette Rockliff has been elected mayor with 51.43 per cent of the vote after preferences.