Mayor commends outgoing Councillors on their service

Published on 21 September 2022

City of Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten has acknowledged the contribution of four current Councillors, who have announced they will not be recontesting their seat at the upcoming local government elections.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission yesterday announced what is understood to be a record 33 candidates for the upcoming local government elections for the City of Launceston municipality, along with five Mayoral candidates and 10 candidates for the position of Deputy Mayor.

City of Launceston incumbents Rob Soward, Karina Stojansek and Nick Daking join the retiring Jim Cox - as well as Mayor Albert van Zetten himself - in announcing they would not be recontesting their seat in October.

Launceston businessman Nick Daking served one term following his election to Council in 2018.

Local businesswoman Karina Stojansek was first elected in 2015 and has served two terms at the City of Launceston.

Former teacher and employment sector manager Rob Soward served four terms on Council, having first been elected back in 2009.

Last month, Jim Cox announced his retirement from public life after serving 11 years as an elected representative at the City of Launceston and three decades in politics.

Earlier in August, Mayor van Zetten also announced his retirement from local government, having served 17 years on Council - 15 of those as Mayor.

"Serving on the City of Launceston has been a tremendous honour and I know all of those retiring Councillors are equally as proud as I am of what we have been able to achieve together," Mayor van Zetten said.

"Launceston is an incredibly beautiful city, with an amazing community of passionate, innovative and caring people.

"Being a councillor gives you a unique perspective as well as the ability to help shape the future of the city we all love - that's certainly something that no one should ever take for granted.

"I wish all of those councillors who have announced they will not be standing again in October all the very best for the future, and thank them for their compassion, their diligence and the way they have conducted themselves around the table - it has certainly be a pleasure to work with them.

"I've said it before but Launceston has a really bright future and I'm genuinely existed to see the city's next steps under the stewardship of a new mayor, a new deputy mayor and an all-new council."

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission will be posting out ballot material to electors from the week commencing October 3, with the close of polling at 2pm on Tuesday, October 25.

Voting in local government elections in Tasmania is now compulsory.