Busselton councillor Phill Cronin hopes to move into the mayoral role in the local government elections

After being elected to Council in 2019, councillor Phill Cronin is hoping to be elected as the City of Busselton’s mayor in the local government election on October 21. Originally from the United Kingdom, Councillor Cronin gained a degree in civil engineering and worked in London for six years, before moving to Australia in 2001. Cr Cronin has plenty of experience with community involvement, having served on various boards, and regularly participating in Chamber and Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association events. “I have contributed to 17 different committees and working groups, including chairing the Airport Advisory Committee,” he said. “Outside of my council duties, I dedicate time to our small Lifestyle Farm, volunteer as a Bushfire Fighter, I help manage the Local Border Collie group and enjoy spending time at the Men’s Shed, where I engage in projects and repairs.” When asked what his key priorities would be if elected, Cr Cronin said his main goal was to be a strong advocate for our city and our community and to unite the council as a cohesive team to deliver strategic and practical solutions. “I aim to foster a sense of ownership within the City of Busselton,” he said. “I will allocate one day a month to bring the council together for focused strategic planning. “Often as councillors, we get caught up in day-to-day issues and committee work. “I aspire to establish a council that can proactively address future challenges, for instance, our sporting facilities have encountered unexpected challenges due to the population growth following COVID, exacerbated by rising construction costs. “Through these dedicated sessions, we can collaborate with the community and administrative staff to identify and prioritise our needs.” Cr Cronin said he planned to use his communication skills to connect with the community on issues that affected them. “With a decade of experience running a communication consultancy, where I assisted individuals and businesses in enhancing their communication, I will leverage these skills to improve community engagement on critical issues,” he said. “Whether it’s forging connections with private or government organisations, I am committed to facilitating collaboration to support our city’s progress.”