City of Mitcham Mayor, Heather Holmes-Ross, has been elected as the new LGA South Australia President for the next two-year term.
Mayor Holmes-Ross, who currently sits on the LGA Board of Directors and chairs the Greater Adelaide Regional Organisation of Councils committee, will formally succeed incumbent President, Kimba Mayor Dean Johnson at the LGA’s Annual General Meeting on 22 November.
Ballots from all 68 South Australian councils were counted at Local Government House on Tuesday.
Having served as Mayor of Mitcham since 2018, Mayor Holmes-Ross said she is excited to take on the added responsibility of representing South Australia’s local government sector, strengthening connections between councils and advocating for the interests of communities as LGA President.
“I’m honoured that my fellow Councillors and Mayors across the state have entrusted me with this important role for the next two years, to champion the issues that matter most to them and to be a voice for our sector,” she said.
“LGA plays a critical role in helping strengthen the long-term financial, environmental and social sustainability of councils through advocacy, promotion and facilitation and my goal is to support LGA to be effective as possible in these endeavours.
“Community is my passion and the LGA presidency is an opportunity to further assist our councils to deliver real, lasting impact for all South Australians through representation in state and national conversations.
“Financial sustainability is undoubtedly one of our sector’s biggest challenges right now.
“Councils are continuously innovating to find efficiencies and do more with less, and there are exciting opportunities for LGA to help facilitate widespread adoption of solutions across the sector while advocating for greater federal funding support.
“I’m excited to lead our sector as LGA President and help our councils build stronger, resilient and empowered communities.”
Local Government Minister, Joe Szakacs congratulated Mayor Holmes-Ross on her successful election.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with the local government sector’s peak body under her stewardship,” said Mr Szakacs.
“I thank Mayor Johnson for the tireless work he has put into the role over the past two years, and for the two decades of service he has already given to the Kimba District Council, first as an elected member and later as its Mayor.
“I greatly value the engagement and relationship I have with the sector, and their special place in attending the State Cabinet every quarter.”
Outgoing LGA President, Mayor Dean Johnson also commended Mayor Holmes-Ross on her election to the position and reflected on some of the high points and achievements during his tenure.
“Over the past two years, LGA has further strengthened our relationship with state and federal governments and successfully positioned ourselves and councils as trusted delivery partners,” Mayor Johnson said.
“Our advocacy work and regular meetings with State Cabinet has led to important outcomes such as the creation of the Office for Regional Housing and Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme, in which local government has an important, ongoing role to play.
“We’ve fought for and secured an extra $5 million annually to fund the repair and maintenance of local jetties across South Australia, and have partnered with the state on climate and net zero initiatives that will help build stronger communities.
“So much great work has been done to foster council connections within our sector and I’m incredibly proud of where LGA is positioned heading into the future.
“I congratulate Mayor Holmes-Ross on her election and look forward to supporting her in my capacity as Immediate Past President on the LGA Board of Directors when the new term commences later this month.”
The LGA presidency alternates between a regional and metropolitan representative every two years, with all South Australian councils casting their vote to determine who is elected to the position.
