The current council, under the leadership of Mayor David Parkin, has demonstrated what can be achieved when people of good will decide to work together for the benefit of the community.

This is an unprecedented departure from the faction-ridden councils of the past 20 years and reflects, I believe, the changing values of the community.   It’s no longer acceptable for people to grandstand, posture and take aggressive and adversarial positions as a default behaviour.

It is also not acceptable to have the governance of Burnside Council as a news story in the daily media cycle.

Thankfully we have left those dark days behind and I congratulate the Mayor, Councillors Monceaux, Osterstock and Piggot for being elected unopposed.