For Deputy Mayor & Councillor
“Melinda would be a wonderful Deputy Mayor and exactly the person we need for our growing municipality.”
Helen, Sorell
Candidate1 for deputy mayor and councillor in October 2026.
- Experienced two-term councillor at Sorell, elected 2018 and 2022, runner-up as mayor in 2024
- Strong credentials and a proven track record working for a caring, thriving and creative south east
- Standing for deeper community connection, fair and responsible planning, and real local government reform
- The best qualified candidate for deputy mayor; would be the first woman elected deputy mayor in Sorell Council’s history
First elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, I’m a trusted leader and calm, independent voice on council, with the deep experience that comes from decades working for the public good and proven dedication to caring, thriving, creative communities where everyone can live their best life.
Sorell is a rapidly growing region that needs kind, experienced, and well-informed leadership to navigate our infrastructure, economic, and housing challenges.
I am stepping up to run for deputy mayor to keep cost-effective and collaborative leadership at the forefront so that our local townships maintain their unique character while receiving the social, financial, and environmental support they deserve.
With years of experience at local, state and national levels, my track record includes championing better public spaces, deeper community engagement, continuing strong financial and strategic oversight, fair and responsible community-informed town planning, leading with integrity, and meaningful local government reform.
As well as being best qualified for the role, becoming deputy mayor is about ensuring our council leadership reflects the diverse and vibrant community we serve.
Local government is about we, not me – making well-informed decisions together for the long term public good.
We know wellbeing underpins prosperity and that when connected communities improve wellbeing, we’re more confident, more resilient and everyone benefits.
When we design with communities, we create more diverse and affordable living that unlocks the many benefits of well-managed and accessible housing, services, retail, parks, halls, pathways and natural spaces.
That’s why I’m a strong supporter of the new Southern Beaches Plan that is bringing together shared purpose, expert advice and local know-how. The update of the Sorell township masterplan and an integrated approach to the Sorell East expansion will bring similar benefits.
And that’s why I’ll keep advocating for community strengthening, sound planning and respectful relationships, including arts and heritage, paths and walkways as well as more effective public transport as the keys to better health, education, work and social connections – particularly for young people – and it is high time Primrose Sands had a real public bus service.
Good governance and persistence are essential. We’re fortunate that Sorell Council maintains a very skilled and experienced staff team dedicated to robust asset management, prudent financial management and growing community connections.
It’s a fabulous feeling to have confidence in a well-run organisation and to see initiatives come to life after many months and often years of patient, careful planning, advocacy and collaboration. Recent highlights have included:
- Fitzies Youth Hub, outreach and youth program – places young people can meet in welcoming spaces supported by people they trust
- Sorell Carriage Shed restoration; Sorell History Rooms and green room at Sorell Memorial Hall; Men’s Shed and Community Precinct and Makers’ Workshop projects, and reference group guiding the design
- An expanded Community Relations team; full time Natural Resource Management Facilitator, NRM Advisory Group; new Access & Inclusion Advisory Group; new online community directory and more ways to have your say on plans and projects
- Comprehensive, responsible, community-informed forward planning – Southern Beaches Plan, Sorell Plan update and Sorell East underway; securing millions in major project and infrastructure funding; FOGO and Recycle Rewards container deposit scheme; 10-year NRM Strategy and 15-year Weed Management Strategy; reserve management plans, stormwater and waste-water reviews and upgrades
- New governance and risk frameworks and internal audit program – being fair, effective and accountable in all we do; supporting all councillors to lead by example; taking the Lift the Tone behaviour pledge; encouraging all councillors to hold a Registration to Work with Vulnerable People card
In the next four years I will keep working to activate all these initiatives, to strengthen Council’s arts and heritage program and to do all we can to inspire trust in council and a future shaped by our communities with respect for local lifestyles and the places we love.
I’m looking forward to building on these sound foundations as we navigate the coming years together.
Voting in the 2026 Tasmanian Local Government Elections is compulsory. Sorell Council electors will start receiving their postal ballot packs from 5 October 2026, including a flyer about the candidates for mayor, deputy mayor and seven councillors. Completed votes must be posted in time to reach the Tasmanian Electoral Commission before 2:00pm sharp on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
- Electoral material authorised by Colin Reed, 6 Church St, Dodges Ferry 7173 ↩︎