By Justin Flynn
Bellarine Ward has three new councillors after election results were finalised on the weekend.
Stephanie Asher, Jim Mason and Trent Sullivan were elected to sit on the new City of Greater Geelong Council.
Asher, from Ocean Grove, was a landslide winner, polling more than 27.38 per cent of the primary votes.
The ward had an enrollment of 56,364 with 40,115 formal votes recorded and 2673 informal votes.
Asher thanked the community for its overwhelming support.
“Thankyou to everyone who took the time to vote and particularly heartfelt thanks to those who supported me and my campaign,“ she said.
“It’s such an honour and privilege to represent this passionate and intelligent community. I will do my utmost to serve you in an open, honest and professional manner. Please make sure to stay in touch with the new councillors, so we can understand the relevant issues and represent you effectively. I look forward to working with the new council team.“
Jim Mason expressed his gratitude to the Bellarine Ward voters.
“Thanks to all who supported me – I won’t let you down,“ he told the Voice.
“I will work hard for all and am confident Stephanie, Trent and I will form a strong Bellarine Team. The Clever and Creative vision is in safe hands.“
Trent Sullivan said he was looking forward to getting to work.
“I believe in returning and reinstalling effective local governance,“ he told the Voice.
“We need to clean up City Hall and return to what our core job is, improving the living standard of our local community. We need to work on our rates, roads and rubbish, we need effective and efficiency reviews of council and all its services. We need to make sure that ratepayers’ dollars are being used effectively and wisely. We have a fantastic team elected to represent not only the Bellarine but Geelong in total. I look forward to working with my fellow councillors in providing a voice for the Bellarine and Geelong region.“
