Pictured: Councillor Naim Kurt of the Meadow Valley Ward was elected by Council colleagues at a Statutory Council Meeting on Wednesday 1 November 2023, while Cr Karen Sherry of the Meadow Valley Ward will remain as Deputy Mayor for a second straight year.
Councillor Naim Kurt of the Meadow Valley Ward was elected by Council colleagues at a Statutory Council Meeting on Wednesday 1 November 2023, while Cllr Karen Sherry of the Meadow Valley Ward will remain as Deputy Mayor.
Kurt’s appointment as Mayor follows a stint as Deputy Mayor for Hume City across the 2018/2019 term. The terms for both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be capped at 12 months, concluding in October 2024 in readiness for the 2024 council election.
Kurt discussed his family’s roots in Hume City of almost 50 years and how their experience as Bulgarian Turks facing political persecution had fuelled his interest in politics and improving the local community.
It will also underpin the objectives of his Mayoral term, with Kurt declaring that enhancing community pride, liveability and making all feel welcome will be key objectives over the next 12 months, by avoiding a one size fits all approach to communities in Hume.
Kurt spoke to the importance of council’s Social Justice Charter that has come out of Hume’s Citizen’s Bill of Rights – and the responsibility for council to champion :genuine access, inclusion and fairness for all residents”.
Kurt outlined key priorities he intend to work on, including:
- Delivering $128.3 million of new community facilities, roads, footpaths, parks and reserves
- Continued investment in state-backed services, particularly in Hume’s northern growth areas of Kalkallo, Mickleham and Craigieburn
- The revitalisation of Sunbury with a view to create an Arts and Culture Precinct at Jacksons Hill.
- Working in an historic partnership with neighbouring councils to facilitate the creation of a centralised Metropolitan Activity Centre to unite Hume’s northern communities
- Upgrading Hume’s established facilities including transforming the Broadmeadows’ Hume Central precinct into a dynamic town centre for work, learning, and community connection
Kurt thanked outgoing Mayor Cllr Joseph Haweil and Deputy Mayor Sherry for leaving a legacy of “strong leadership in a time of growth for Hume at the conclusion of their 12 month term”.
“Throughout my term, I plan to lead our council with good governance, with local people at the forefront of every decision made, and ensuring those most in need are not left behind,” says Kurt.
