Meet our new Councillors

This is Cr Crawford’s third term as a Councillor and second as Mayor. She previously held that role from 2020-21 and was Deputy Mayor in 2018 and 2024.

Cr Bryan Mears (Lakeside Ward) was elected Deputy Mayor at a special council meeting last night.

Cr Crawford said she was unable to door-knock for the 2020 election campaign as it coincided with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This time she was able to directly hear the views of community members during the campaign and knew there was “a lot to get on with”.

Cr Crawford promised to support her fellow Councillors during the steep learning curve in local government matters they would all experience over the next 12 months.

“This is our opportunity to deliver for our community. It’s our chance to serve our community respectfully, kindly and generously,” she said.

“We’ve got a big Council Plan ahead of us and we have a lot of expectations from our community on what they would like us to deliver.

“Let’s do it together. Let’s share big ideas, delve deep into issues, hold each other to account and work really hard for our community.”

Following an independent review from an electoral representation advisory panel, Port Phillip moved to a single councillor nine ward structure for the October 2024 election. Previously, there were three wards with three councillors per ward.

The other seven Councillors officially welcomed to the new Council last night are:
- Rod Hardy (Albert Park Ward)
- Justin Halliday (Alma Ward)
- Libby Buckingham (Balaclava Ward)
- Alex Makin (Montague Ward)
- previous Mayor Heather Cunsolo (Port Melbourne Ward)
- Beti Jay (South Melbourne Ward)
- former Deputy Mayor Serge Thomann (St Kilda Ward).

All Councillors are being inducted before tackling key projects including the Plan for Port Phillip 2025-29 – a roadmap to guide Council priorities and services over the next four years.

Mayor Louise Crawford with Deputy Mayor Bryan Mears.