Leonie Browner Elected as New Nedlands Mayor in Landslide Victory
Nedlands has a new mayor after Leonie Browner secured a decisive win at the local government elections on Saturday, with her victory described as a landslide. Voter turnout for the western suburbs council was slightly lower than the previous election in 2023, but 32.35 per cent of residents still participated, ensuring their voices were heard in this critical poll.
Historic Win and Campaign Promises
Ms Browner was elected with approximately 64 per cent of the vote, surpassing former councillor Fergus Bennett and long-term local resident Anthony Von Leonhardi. This result makes her the most popularly elected mayor since the 1970s, a claim previously made by former mayor Fiona Argyle after her win with 50 per cent of the vote in 2023. During her campaign, Ms Browner emphasized her desire to be a fresh candidate capable of leading the city sensibly and capably. She stated, We need a council that will work together constructively in the public interest and look forward, not try to re-prosecute past battles. She added that a fresh start with all new councillors is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by Nedlands.
New Council Composition and Challenges Ahead
The election also saw six new councillors elected to represent the Melivista, Hollywood, and Dalkeith wards. Ms Browner will lead an almost entirely new council, with only one former councillor, Rebecca Coghlan, re-elected to the Melivista ward by a close margin. Newcomer Julian Coleman joins her as a Melivista representative. The new members will officially begin their roles this month, taking over from the city's three government-appointed commissioners. Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley commented on the election outcome, saying, It is good to see that the election has resulted in a renewal, and I hope it will be a turning point and positive step forwards for the City of Nedlands. She noted that the new mayor and councillors will face significant challenges and tough decisions ahead, with guidance available from a recently installed Monitor by the Local Government Inspector.
Ward Results and Future Meetings
In the Hollywood ward, Glenn Ruscoe and Rachel Kristensen won the two available seats, beating former councillor Ben Hodson. Charles Pan and Jenny Mathews were elected in the Dalkeith ward. These incoming councillors will join Coastal ward candidates Eliza Clapin and Stephen Kobelke, who were elected unopposed last month. The new council's first meeting is scheduled for April 22, where they will decide on remaining meeting dates for 2026, appoint committees, and elect a deputy mayor. Ahead of the election, Planning Minister John Carey expressed hope for a whole new clean sweep for the city, welcoming former Liberal aspirants as part of a fresh approach.
Post-Election Reactions and Commitment
In a social media post, Ms Browner thanked her supporters and other candidates, stating, I am very grateful to the residents of the City of Nedlands for electing me as their next mayor. I take this responsibility very seriously and am ready to start work with other councillors and administration to repair and rebuild the City of Nedlands. This election marks a pivotal moment for Nedlands, as the community looks to its new leadership to navigate upcoming challenges and foster positive change.
