25 October 2023

The Shire of Irwin welcomes Cr Mark Leonard as the new Shire President after he was elected by his peers at an Ordinary Council Meeting on October 24, 2023.

Shire President Leonard’s appointment comes following the conclusion of former Shire President Mike Smith's most recent term. The former Shire President has been a member of Council since 2011 and has served three terms as Shire President since 2017.

This election the Shire of Irwin was required by the Department of Local Government to reduce the number of Councillors from 8 to 7, meaning only 3 positions were available.

As only three Councillor nominations were received, all positions were filled and therefore no election was required this year.

The incoming Councillors are Andrew Gillam (re-elected), Hayley Palmer (re-elected) and we welcome Peter Summers.

Councillor Barry Wyse was elected as Deputy Shire President. 

Shire President Mark Leonard, who will hold the position of Shire President for a two-year term, thanked his colleagues for their confidence.  

“I feel deeply grateful and privileged for the trust my colleagues have shown in me. I eagerly anticipate the ongoing collaboration within our Shire, and I am enthusiastic about the possibilities for advancing our region,” Shire President Leonard said.

“Having served on Council since 2013 I am fully aligned with the community aspirations of growth and sustainability and will continue the work of my predecessor to make this happen.”

The Shire of Irwin acknowledges and thanks former Shire President Mike Smith for his years of commitment and dedication to the Irwin Shire Council.

During his tenure as Shire President, Cr Smith served as a forward-thinking and progressive leader, playing a pivotal role in numerous significant projects.

These initiatives included substantial investments in the Rural Roads Program, the Surf Beach Stabilisation Project, the completion of the Henry Road independent living accommodation, the Moreton Terrace revitalisation project and the creation of the Port Denison Foreshore Masterplan.

The former Shire President also fostered the growth of industry in the region with the creation of the Irwin Arrowsmith Advisory Council, with a commitment to ensuring that the interests of industry align with those of our community and that every individual within the Shire reap the benefits of this growth.

Furthermore, during the challenging times of the COVID era, Cr Smith effectively managed the budget, providing stability and support to the community.