Cr Martin Taylor Mayoral Acceptance Speech, City of Whittlesea.​

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Fellow Councillors, Council Officers, and the People of the City of Whittlesea, before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet tonight. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all first nations peoples who live, work and call the City of Whittlesea home.

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It is with great honour and humility that I accept the responsibility of serving as Mayor of the City of Whittlesea.

 

To my fellow Councillors, thank you for your trust and confidence. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead this Council through what will no doubt be a defining time for our city. I recognise the responsibility this role carries, and I approach it with a clear commitment, to serve all, to unify our diverse voices, and to deliver outcomes that strengthen our communities.

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To our Council officers, led by our Chief Executive Officer, thank you for the professionalism, expertise, and dedication you bring to your roles each and every day. Our progress as a city is made possible because of your unwavering commitment to public service. I look forward to working closely with you to ensure the goals of our Council Plan are realised.

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And to the people of the City of Whittlesea, thank you. This city belongs to you. Our role as your elected Council is to be custodians of your hopes, your needs, and your aspirations. I commit to leading with integrity, accessibility, fairness, and good governance, always placing your interests at the centre of every decision.

It is a time for a new beginning. A time to rise above the challenges of the last six months, and to embrace a shared vision for the future, that is inclusive, forward thinking, and built on the solid foundation of community trust.

 

Our municipality is one of the fastest growing in the country. With that growth comes tremendous opportunity, but also significant responsibility. We are tasked with shaping a future that ensures liveability, accessibility, and prosperity for every suburb, every family, and every person, no matter of background or postcode.

 

As a local government, our fundamental duties are clear:

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• To provide and maintain essential infrastructure and services;

• To plan for responsible development and sustainable growth;

• To promote the health, wellbeing, and safety of our community;

• To support and empower residents through advocacy and inclusive programs; and

• To uphold transparency, accountability, and civic participation in all we do.

 

These responsibilities are at the heart of our work, and they must guide every decision we make.

 

I acknowledge the challenges before us, including the rising cost of living, growing housing stress, infrastructure pressures, and concerns around safety and wellbeing. But I firmly believe all our challenges can be met, not through division, but through unity, collaboration, competency and principled leadership.

 

My vision is for a Council that listens before it speaks. A Council that unites rather than divides. A Council that acts not out of politics, but out of purpose. We will support our families and seniors, strengthen our local economy, advocate for better public transport and services, and protect our shared environment with transparency and accountability.

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I would like to take this moment to formally acknowledge our Deputy Mayor, Cr Zinni, whose leadership has already proven to be outstanding. Cr Zinni, I look forward to building an exceptional leadership team with you for this Council and for the people of Whittlesea. Together, I believe we can set a tone of unity, professionalism, and shared purpose that will serve our city well.

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To my fellow Councillors, I deeply respect the passion and perspectives you each bring to this chamber. I will work hard to ensure that every Councillor has the opportunity to contribute fully and meaningfully, and that your voices are reflected in the work we deliver. My door will always remain open.

 

To the residents of Whittlesea, you have entrusted us with a sacred civic duty. It is a trust I do not take lightly. I will work each and every day to ensure that this Council remains worthy of your confidence. I want the remainder of this year to be defined not by our challenges, but by our collective achievements.

 

Let this be a time of service.
Let this be a time of partnership.
Let this be a time of progress.

 

Thank you for this honour.

 

I am ready to serve.
So let’s get started.