The newest face on Mandurah council was sworn in on Tuesday night, ready to take on the role of representing the community.
Tahlia Jones, who was voted into the Coastal Ward in the weekend’s election, said the unexpected result was a welcomed surprise.
“I ran a really hard campaign, with door knocks and at some shopping centres,” Ms Jones said.
“But it was still a surprise; Don Pember had been in the seat for many years.
“He did a great job in that time.
“And I really had such great supporters, family and friends.
“I’m very proud and humble and I can’t wait to make a positive change.”
It’s straight to work for the 30-year-old local, who decided to run for council because she wanted to shape Mandurah’s future.
Passionate about dealing with issues such as graffiti and hooning, as well as keeping as much money in the ratepayer’s back pocket as possible, Ms Jones will be thrown in the deep end on Tuesday at her first council meeting. “I thought that I would be commenting on the sidelines about the council’s decisions and I thought: ‘Why not get involved?” she said.
“I was alarmed by the recent increase of our rates, which was well over CPI.
“I’m a ratepayer so I feel it in my back pocket when the rates rise.
“I want to find a balance of new infrastructure and cost which is passed onto ratepayers.
“I’m also against the caravan park in Dawesville given its proximity to the estuary.”
Ms Jones, who has always lived within the Peel region, is an assistant director in State Government and works with communities to improve health and disability services.
She said her governance degree has given her a passion for decisions made with integrity, which is something she wants to bring to council.
Ms Jones joins re-elected councillors Fred Riebeling, Shane Jones, Caroline Knight, Ron Wortley and Peter Rogers, and continuing councillors David Schumacher, Darren Lee, Lynn Rodgers, Shannon Lawson, Jane Field and Peter Jackson.
