KIM O’Keeffe has resigned from her position as mayor for Greater Shepparton City Council, effective from 11pm yesterday, June 6, and she will take a leave of absence.
Cr O’Keeffe was in her fourth term as mayor, having previously served in 2018, 2019, and 2021. She will run in the state election as the candidate for the Nationals party after being endorsed by the party last month.
Councillors will elect a new mayor at an additional council meeting at 5.30pm on June 9. Cr O’Keeffe will apply for a leave of absence at the additional meeting, with Cr Anthony Brophy to remain as deputy mayor unless elected as the new mayor.
If Cr Brophy is elected, a new deputy will be decided at a future meeting.
In tendering her resignation, Cr O’Keeffe said she was incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to be mayor.
“I would like to thank my colleagues past and present for giving me the support to represent Council to our community. I have not done this alone, it takes a team of councillors and I have enjoyed working with all of them.”
“It’s a role I have thoroughly enjoyed. I appreciate the support from the community and the chance to be involved in so many important local events, strategic developments and initiatives.”
Last month, Cr O’Keeffe’s state election candidacy got resounding support at the 2022 Nationals State Conference in Shepparton, which was attended by hundreds of grassroots members, and Federal and State Nationals MPs.
Cr O’Keeffe said the current government’s city-centric agenda constantly overlooked Shepparton, which was why she had decided to run for The Nationals’ team.
“Like all local people I’ve been frustrated to see key local projects, like future stages of the GV Health upgrade or better local roads, constantly overlooked in the past few State Budgets,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
“The Shepparton region has so much potential to thrive with a strong local representative in Victorian Parliament to build on Sam Birrell’s strong advocacy at the Federal level.
“I believe the best way to do that is as part of a team of Nationals MPs who are dedicated to secure a fair share for all regional Victorians.
“On my priority list for the Shepparton electorate are delivering future stages at GV Health, certainty that our communities will never again be put into lockdown and securing more investment in maintaining local roads with a return of the Country Roads and Bridges Program.”
