Women taking charge across the state

NEW Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders is one of 10 women elected mayor in the state’s local government poll.

New Huon Valley Council Mayor Bec Enders in Huonville. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

NEW Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders is one of 10 women elected mayor in the state’s local government poll.

Men will take up the top civic job in 18 councils, with Glenorchy already having elected Kristie Johnston mayor in January.

Mrs Enders captured 54 per cent of the vote after preferences, with Mick Newell coming in second with 45 per cent.

Mrs Enders will lead the nine-person team after a period of renewed stability in the Huon Valley under government-appointed commissioner Adriana Taylor, who has run the show since October 2016, when the then council was sacked.

“We need to ensure that the community feels they are involved and have opportunities to participate,” Mrs Enders said.

“Ms Taylor has brought stability to the council and showed what good governance looks and feels like and the incoming council will have to prove itself.

“I want to ensure we have really sound induction which incorporates good governance around planning matters, code of conduct and relationship management.”

Mrs Enders said her top priorities would be building a council team that is informed and educated on their roles.

“I’ll be sitting down with every councillor and identifying how they want to grow in the next four years and help the community,” she said.

“One of the major issues that came up during the campaign for quite a few candidates, including me, is that we have a critical issue here with not enough mental health services in Huon Valley.”

Mrs Enders said she and several other candidates had sought and received a commitment from Health Minister Michael Ferguson to meet with the councillors, social services groups and schools to address the mental health service shortage.