HADI Saab is the new mayor of Kingston.
The new mayor was elected to the position at a council meeting last week. Former deputy mayor Saab was the only councillor to nominate for the top job.
Saab replaces Steve Staikos as mayor. Staikos has served as mayor for four terms since his election to council in 2008. He has been mayor for the last two years.
Saab says the focus of his reign will be improving transparency and community consultation and advocating for improvements to the planned major projects in the municipality.
“During my term, I plan on being an active and visible conduit between the community and council – always championing community consultation. My focus will be on maintaining transparent communication, further bolstering advocacy, and fostering strong civic pride,” Saab said.
“With so many major projects either underway or planned across the south-east, council is in a unique position to provide our local knowledge and influence great outcomes. Whether it be the chain of parks project, suburban rail loop and level crossing removals, or the recycled water purple pipeline, advanced waste processing project, redevelopment of Kingston City Hall, the new aquatic and leisure centre, or so many more, it is a very exciting time.”
The new mayor is a Druze first-generation Australian with Lebanese and Syrian parents. He says he wants to promote and celebrate multiculturalism during his term. “Promoting and celebrating Kingston’s multiculturalism, through our diversity and inclusion plans and the Back Your Neighbour campaign, is important to me and I want to increase accessibility for everyone to all our information, programs and services,” Saab said. “Breaking down barriers and celebrating diversity is vital for building a more cohesive, connected, and inclusive city.
“Supporting our youths and young adults is also a passion of mine and I will be promoting opportunities and encouraging our young people to shape the future of our city through putting their hands up for public office and decision-making bodies.”
Councillor Chris Hill was elected deputy mayor.
Saab was deputy mayor between 2020 and 2021.
*EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was amended on 17 November to clarify that Hadi Saab was deputy mayor in 2020/2021, not 2021/2022.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 16 November 2022
