Councillor Ranka Rasic will look back on her time as Brimbank mayor as a year of achievements but also a year of challenges.
Cr Rasic, who became mayor in her first year on council, will finish her term next week.
“It has been a privilege to have served the community as the mayor of Brimbank, especially as a newly elected councillor,” she said.
“I’ve been deeply committed to working to make Brimbank a better place for all and this has been my focus as a mayor.
“I’m proud of the achievements during my time to support our community and to advocate for its needs and shape a brighter future.
“We have achieved some outstanding results for our city, despite the extraordinary challenges we have faced.”
Cr Rasic said the pandemic had meant that the council and councillors had to look at other ways to ensure that they could achieve the best for their community.
“There have been challenges, the biggest one being the ongoing pandemic which has had an impact on our community, as well as our local business and all aspects of our lives,” she said.
“The pandemic, lockdown and restrictions meant we had to work differently, online rather than face-to-face, connecting with people and doing our jobs.
“However we are resilient and we are coming together it. I’m particularly proud of the council response and recovery efforts from the pandemic, the big advocacy wins we have achieved, infrastructure we are delivering to make our city even better.”
Cr Rasic said her biggest achievement was securing funding for the Calder Freeway upgrades, and later on, the removal of the Calder Park Drive level crossing removal.
“I’m passionate about Brimbank getting a fair go and fair share and I’ve been delighted with the outcomes,” she said.
“The advocacy to fix the Calder, the leverage with the Melbourne Airport rail to deliver last change to our community
“Fixing the Calder, as promised at the election I lead a strong campaign calling for the state government and federal government to fix the Calder.”
Cr Rasic said she was also proud of some of things she’s been working for in her ward, such as car parking upgrades on Sydenham Road and the continuing advocacy to duplicate Taylors Road.
She said while her term as mayor is over, there is still plenty of work to be done.
“For me it has been deeply satisfying to serve my community, as a mayor to know i worked hard for the better and i made a better place for us all.
“I look forward to the next three years where I will continue to fight for better infrastructure, small business, Brimbank families and a fair share of government funding to build a better Brimbank.
