WATTLE Range Council will face a major change in 12 months with current mayor Peter Gandolfi announcing he will not stand for re-election at the next Local Government election.
At the November monthly meeting, Mr Gandolfi told the elected members eight years was “in my view an appropriate length of time for any mayor”.
“Being born and bred in Wattle Range, it certainly has been a privilege to lead the community,” he said.
“I have enjoyed being part of what I hope has been making a positive change to our community.
“I will miss the fact I have been representing our council for currently seven years.
“I hope when I leave the role in 12 months time that Wattle Range is a better place and I am sure future mayors and future councillors will work hard to ensure positive outcomes for our community.”
Mr Gandolfi was elected to the role in 2010 and was one of three contenders for the position along with sitting mayor Mark Braes and Penola resident Bill Murray.
Mr Gandolfi deposed the sitting mayor, polling 2090 first preference votes to Mr Braes’ 1361 and Mr Murray’s 1200.
Elected on a platform of reigning in rate bills and council expenditure, Mr Gandolfi said his first challenge occurred months after taking office with the restructure of Kimberly-Clark Australia’s operations at Tantanoola.
“KCA announced its restructure, which resulted in the loss of 200 jobs, which was particularly challenging,” he said.
“We have had to maintain civic pride particularly around Millicent and council as a collective started its beautification prograrm and also changed its focus strongly to economic development.
“We are starting to see the fruits of that now.”
Mr Gandolfi highlighted the Beachport sewerage scheme, the acquisition of land completion of the first stage of the Penola Bypass and the introduction of council’s road plan among the most significant issues of his tenure.
“There have been some controversial issues, such as the Penola bypass, and when I was first elected, council had established the preferred routes but had not acquired any of the bypass,” he said.
“Since then, the entire corridor has been acquired and the first stage of it has been completed and that’s after 60 years of debate.
“In recent years, Wattle Range had the largest capital works program out of all the councils in the region.
“Our most significant capital works project has been the installation of the Beachport sewerage scheme, which was almost $10m.
“We saw significant change in the management and structure of council and introduced programs such as the four-year road plan.
“The plan determines what roads are going to be upgraded four years in advance so members of the public would have a clearer understanding of council’s intention and removed what I referred to as roads on a whim.”
Mr Gandolfi praised the “cohesive council” for being willing to work together in the best interest of Wattle Range residents.
“None of what we have achieved would be possible without the support of the councillors,” he said.
“As mayor, you’re the first of equals and you are part of the collective.
“Council as a whole has been quite cohesive, particularly in comparison to previous councils.
“The two most significant issues were the Beachport Boat Ramp and the Penola Bypass and as a council – and that’s all elected members – we have to work with the issues that are put on the table.”
While not ruling out any future bid for public office, Mr Gandolfi said he would still be part of the community and would still participate in “all backseat roles”.
Mr Gandolfi encouraged members of the community to consider running for council.
“It’s not a position that requires people to come from a position of privilege,” he said.
“It is simply there for anybody as a member of our community to put their hand up and make a difference.
“Unlike other levels of government, we are the closest to the community and you will find councillors and mayors actually living, working and shopping in our local communities.”
