FRANKSTON councillor Nathan Conroy has won a second term as mayor.
Conroy has been mayor between 2021 and 2022. At a council meeting last Thursday he was voted in to serve for one more year.
Conroy saw off a challenge from councillor Sue Baker. Conroy was supported by councillors Steven Hughes, Liam Hughes, Kris Bolam, David Asker, and Suzette Tayler. Sue Baker was backed by councillors Claire Harvey and Brad Hill.
Liam Hughes was voted in as deputy mayor for 2022/2023. Harvey also nominated for deputy mayor, but was unsuccessful. Hughes is one of the youngest people ever to hold a leadership position at a Victorian council, and the youngest ever deputy mayor of Frankston.
Conroy said he was “so proud” to be elected again, and that he would spend the next year supporting local businesses.
“The city is on the rise literally and metaphorically. This council is giving developers the certainty to invest in Frankston City and we are encouraging businesses like the Sporting Globe, Hotel Lona, Oliver’s Corner, Betty’s Burgers and the Hop Shop to the city,” Conroy said.
“Thank you so much – we have had a wonderful year and I can’t wait to get started and continue on as I started in November last year.”
It’s been a busy term as mayor for Conroy – one which coincided with a state and federal election campaign. A major highlight of his tenure was council receiving funding commitments from all levels of government for the planned redevelopment of Frankston Basketball Stadium.
Conroy’s year was not without its challenges. Frankston Council is currently undergoing a councillor conduct panel process, with councillor Steven Hughes alleged to have engaged in serious misconduct (“Councillor could cop 12 month ban” The Times 12/10/22). He also threw the public gallery out of a recent meeting after repeated abusive interruptions (“Public booted after council meeting mayhem” The Times 2/11/22).
This is the first time a Frankston councillor has served two consecutive mayoral terms in 20 years.
