Docherty Playford's youngest mayor

UPGRADING sporting clubs and improving the general tidiness of suburban streets are top priorities for newly elected Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty.

Mr Docherty, 27, this week defeated former mayor Martin Lindsell by 1917 votes to become the council’s youngest ever mayor.

“My first priority is to make Playford a cleaner and tidy city,” he said.

“It is about making sure we have the appropriate resource allocation and using recycled water more effectively on our parks and open spaces to improve the look and feel of the city.

“It is also ensuring that our verges are mowed, our potholes filled, our footpaths repaired and our parks tidy.”

The new mayor said no extra money had been allocated to these projects in this year’s budget but he would look to use what money had been “more effectively”.

Mr Docherty, who became deputy mayor in 2006, said upgrading sport clubs and developing a health precinct around the Lyell McEwin hospital were also high on the agenda.

“We have a booming number of sports clubs growing in the Playford area and we need to ensure that these clubs have appropriate facilities and room to grow,” he said.

“Part of the vision is to ensure ... the council will work actively with the clubs and State Government to ensure goals are met and funding is allocated accordingly.

“This term is about getting the council operating systems more sustainable and seeing where improvements and savings can be made.”

The defeated Mr Lindsell said he was looking forward to seeing the results of his opponent’s vision.

“I think the future looks great for Playford, I look forward to seeing what Mr Docherty has in store for the council,” he said.

Mr Lindsell, who had been involved with local government since 1985 including the past four years at Playford, said he would not stand again .

“I am done. I am very proud of the long career I have had serving the community.

“I have always said that I am a community leader, not a politician.

“I have been honoured and privileged to work with such wonderful people and make a difference in the community.”

And the woman Mr Lindsell unseated last time around, Marilyn Baker, is back on the council.

Mrs Baker was one of the two successful candidates, alongside Michael Joy, in Ward 5.

She was mayor of Playford from the Elizabeth/Munno Para amalgamation in 1997 through to 2006, and before that had been mayor of Elizabeth.

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PLAYFORD COUNCIL

Mayor: Glenn Docherty

Ward 1: Dino Musolino, Julie Norris, Geoff Boundy

Ward 2: Nic Cava, Adam Sherwood, Gay Smallwood-Smith

Ward 3: Joe Federico, Andrew Craig

Ward 4: Coral Gooley, Denis Davey, Max O’Reilly

Ward 5: Michael Joy, Marilyn Baker

Ward 6: Duncan MacMillan, Nik Skrob