Newly elected deputy mayor Terrence Winner wants council to focus on accountability and delivering on promises

Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s new deputy mayor wants the council to focus on accountability and delivering on promises. Cr Terrence Winner was elected by his fellow councillors at a special council meeting on Monday night, following the swearing-in of five councillors after Saturday’s election. Cr Kirsty Dellar, who was deputy for the past two years, and newly elected Ric Halse, also put their hands up for the role, but it was Cr Winner who won the vote around the table. During his speech on Monday about why he should be elected deputy, Cr Winner said he believed the role should be passed around every two years to allow all councillors a chance to experience it. Speaking to the Kalgoorlie Miner on Tuesday, Cr Winner said while he was never big on titles, he was humbled to be given a chance in the role, having lost out to Cr Dellar in 2023. He said Cr Dellar had done a fantastic job but he put his hand up because he felt like the council needed to go in a “slightly different direction”. “I just felt my experience, the knowledge I’ve already got, as well as the qualifications, and just the sort of person I am, will help us with the next step that we’re looking at, which is a lot more focus on action,” he said. “We’ve done a lot having to pick up a lot of legacy items and work through a lot of issues from there, but I really think our community needs more than words, we need progress. “My focus over this next four years, and in particular the next two years as deputy mayor, is to drive that progress and actually start getting everything closed off, getting everything we want done and everything that’s been promised in the past finally delivered on.” Accountability was another key focus Cr Winner said he would continue to drive in his new role. “I’m very happy and confident to be able to ensure that the trust . . . is getting earned, and we’re actually doing what we say and not just saying what we’re going to do,” he said. “I’m very happy to say what I think is right or wrong, and if I get it wrong, I’ll own that, that’s not a problem at all. “I’ve been thrilled that over the last couple of years that those right steps have been taken, and I feel our council’s probably in a position a lot stronger than I’ve ever seen it. “In regards to how much we’re engaging, the mayor has done a fantastic job with his regular updates that they push out as well, and there’s a lot more engagement from the council in the community. “We’re asking a lot more of what the community wants and trying to provide more opportunities for communities being involved in the decision-making process wherever we can. “So, I expect to see that continue to grow, and definitely something I’m keen to be driving.” With two new faces added to the council, Cr Winner said there was an “incredible spread” of backgrounds, knowledge and experience around the table and he was excited to be able to work with everyone. “(We need to) make sure we’re capitalising on everyone’s strengths and maximising that for our community, and finding ways to tap into that as a collective group,” he said. “It is going to take a little bit to get us all on that same page, but I’m very confident that we’re going to actually hit where we want to hit, and that’s built on all the hard work from those around the table before us.”