Former Mayor Cr Marcus Pearl has announced that he will not seek re-election to council in October.
He released a statement last week [7 August 24] to make his intentions clear saying:
‘After eight rewarding years as your local Councillor at the City of Port Phillip, it is time for me to step aside and pass the baton to a new generation of Councillors at the October 2024 election.’
Cr Pearl was a major contributor to the direction of Council and served as Mayor for one term – the first Mayor of Port Phillip to have a Liberal Party background.
Expect to see a majority of ‘new’ faces on council after the next elections
TWiSK expects that Crs Clark and Sirakoff will not seek re-election to Council, noting that RoPP has already announced a suite of candidates across the wards that they feel confident about, including Lakeside, South Melbourne, Albert Park and Alma.
Long serving Cr Andrew Bond is also yet to officially declare his intentions. But if he were to stand for St Kilda Ward, he’d be battling two other sitting councillors (Baxter and Nyaguy) for the single seat.
It’s Time to Move On, Time to Look to the Future…
Cr. Marcus Pearl, City of Port Phillip
“After eight rewarding years as your local Councillor at the City of Port Phillip, it is time for me to step aside and pass the baton to a new generation of Councillors at the October 2024 election.
‘It has been an incredible privilege to serve our community, and I am deeply grateful for the trust and support I have received from the residents and businesspeople of Port Phillip. Thank you!
‘During my time on Council, I’ve had the privilege of representing Port Phillip on the South Melbourne Market Board, HousingFirst Board, as Chair of the Multifaith and Grants Committees, and as Mayor. These positions have been terrifically rewarding and it has been especially inspiring to watch our local Market blossom into the best village market in Australia by some margin (and back trading in the black).
‘Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and St Kilda Road traditionally played second fiddle to St Kilda and Elwood when it came to Council attention, but we have seen significant investments in sporting fields and infrastructure in these areas over the past 8 years which has transformed these areas. The culmination of this work was the recent purchase of the Australia Post site in Port Melbourne for $38.8 million and the works at the South Melbourne Town Hall.
‘Port Phillip is now debt-free, with some of the largest cash reserves among councils, ensuring we are well-positioned for future asset purchases, to build much needed infrastructure and the ability to put downward pressure on rates. Our efforts to support local businesses through the challenges of COVID-19 have been substantial, although the work is far from over given the state of many of our high streets across the city.
‘There are still many challenges ahead that need to be faced by the next group of Councillors. I did my best to serve you and make a positive impact for the future. I loved almost every minute.
‘Looking ahead, I am excited to leverage my professional experience as a CEO and skills gained across the public sector to focus on the best path for my future. I am committed to making a meaningful impact over the next decade and beyond. It is a very exciting time, filled with promise and potential.
‘Australia needs strong leadership to continue its growth and realise its full potential, and I hope to play a role in that journey through my professional and business activities.
‘Thank you to everyone in Port Phillip for granting me the privilege to serve as your local Councillor. Thank you to my family and friends who supported me over the past eight years. The road ahead is bright, and I am excited to see what can be achieved next.’
