Role of Councillors
The Local Government Act 2020 Section 28 says that the role of every Councillor in representing their municipal community includes:
- participating in the decision-making of the Council
- representing the interests of the municipal community in that decision-making
- contributing to Council's strategic direction through the development and review of Council’s key strategic documents.
In performing the role of a Councillor, a Councillor must:
- consider the diversity of interests and needs of the municipal community
- support the role of the Council
- acknowledge and support the role of the Mayor
- act lawfully and in accordance with the oath or affirmation of office
- act in accordance with the Model Councillor Code of Conduct (PDF)
- comply with Council procedures required for good governance.
The role of a Councillor does not include the performance of any responsibilities or functions of the CEO.
Your Councillors
Previous Mayors
Councillors elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. They may choose to elect the Mayor for a one- or 2-year term, during the 4-year Council term. The current Mayor is Cr Rose Iser and the Deputy Mayor is Cr Phil Burn; they were elected for a one-year term in October, 2025.
Here is a list of previous Mayors:
Cr Ava Adams
Cr Pierce Tyson
Cr Pierce Tyson
Cr Samantha Byrne
Cr Cam Nation
Cr Samantha Byrne
Cr Narelle Sharpe
Cr John Sipek
Cr Andrea Surace
Cr Andrea Surace
Cr Narelle Sharpe
Cr Jan Chantry
Cr Narelle Sharpe
Cr Jim Cusack
Cr John Sipek
Cr Shirley Cornish
Cr Paul Giuliano
Cr Paul Giuliano
Cr Ben Opie
Cr Jan Chantry
Cr Lydia Kauzlaric
Cr Mark Kennedy
Cr Eugene Hammer
Cr Don Cornish
Cr Trevor Sinclair
Cr Don Cornish
Cr Hedley Moffat
Cr Eugene Hammer
Councillor policies & registers
Council expenses
In accordance with the Local Government Act 2020, Councillors are entitled to be reimbursed in relation to expenses incurred in their capacity as a Councillor.
Council has adopted the Council Expenses Policy which provides a broad overview of how Council provides assistance and support to the Mayor and Councillors in carrying out their role and official duties.
To ensure greater transparency, we publish the reimbursement of Council expenses on this page on a quarterly basis. The figures included in these reports may include expenses not incurred in the reporting period but processed by the administration in the reporting period.
Political party membership
| Councillor | Current Membership | Commencement date | Previous Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cr Ava Adams | - | ||
| Cr John Barnes | - | ||
| Cr Phil Burn | Australian Labor Party | Dec 2014 | |
| Cr Samantha Byrne | - | ||
| Cr Fran Cosgriff | Australian Labor Party | July 2021 | |
| Cr Rose Iser | Australian Labor Party | Dec 2023 |
Australian Labor Party (Sep 2014 - May 2015) Australian Greens (Apr 2006 - May 2013) |
| Cr Hamish Jones | Liberal Party of Australia | Apr 2001 | |
| Cr John Sipek | - | Australian Labor Party (2005 - 2016) | |
| Cr Paula Theocharides | Australian Labor Party | Oct 2022 |
Councillor representatives to external bodies and other committees
| Committee | Councillor(s) |
|---|---|
| Audit and Risk Committee | Cr John Sipek, Cr Hamish Jones and Cr Fran Cosgriff |
| CEO Employment and Remuneration Committee | Cr Ava Adams and Cr Paula Theocharides |
| Essendon Airport (Community Aviation Consultation Group – CACG) | Cr Hamish Jones |
| Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre Committee of Management | Cr Rose Iser and Cr Fran Cosgriff |
| Municipal Association of Victoria | Cr Ava Adams (representative) and Cr Rose Iser (substitute representative) |
| Metropolitan Transport Forum | Cr Phil Burn |
| Western Melbourne Tourism Board | Cr Samantha Byrne |
| Melbourne Royal® Consultative Group | Cr Phil Burn and Cr Rose Iser |