Bridgetown-Greenbushes shire elects Tracy Lansdell as interim president during special council meeting

A new shire president has been elected for the Bridgetown-Greenbushes council after the shock resignation of predecessor Jenny Mountford. On January 7, the shire council elected the unopposed Tracy Lansdell to the top job during a special council meeting. It comes after Cr Mountford resigned from the council on December 20, with deputy shire president Sean Mahoney filling in during the festive season until the council could gather to elect its new president. Cr Lansdell has been a resident of the north Greenbushes area for nearly 20 years, having worked in the health sector and as a small business owner. She had sat as a councillor for three years, and was encouraged to take up the head position from fellow council members, and is expected to now serve until the October local government election. “It’s a privilege to be elected shire president,” Cr Lansdell said. “While this term is a shorter one ahead of the next election, I am eager to continue serving this incredible community, working closely with my council colleagues, stakeholders and the professional team within the shire. “In the coming weeks, council and staff will host community sessions to better understand the concerns, challenges and opportunities our stakeholders see. “I’m genuinely excited to hear from everyone and ensure these insights shape our priorities moving forward.” Cr Lansdell told the Times she aims to be re-elected in October and hopes to hold the shire presidency again. The council also voted in favour of not calling an early election to fill the vacant seat left by Cr Mountford’s resignation, leaving the position to be filled during the next ordinary election.