Councillor Laurie Koranski was appointed Deputy Mayor of the City of Logan last week, and she has hit the ground running.
Cr Koranski replaced Cr Natalie Willcocks, who replaced Cr Jon Raven a year ago.
Serving as Division Four councillor since 2016 and nominated as chairperson of the City Lifestyle Committee in 2020, Cr Koranski said she was ready for a new challenge.
“I had the pleasure of heading up the City Lifestyle Committee, which I’ve absolutely loved, and it’s broadened my horizons, ” Cr Koranski said.
But I was looking for another challenge – something that I could get my teeth into, and the time just seemed right.”
Her new position was made effective immediately, but Cr Koranski said she was always prepared to “begin right away”.
In her second day as deputy mayor, she was thrown into council budget talks.
Cr Koranski acknowledged the harsh effects of the rising cost of living, and although she didn’t confirm or deny whether council would withhold a rate increase, she said council would “continue to put downward pressure on rates”.
“I can’t speculate at this stage,” she said.
“We’re working through the process but we’re seeing cost of living expenses going out across the board, and no doubt council’s not immune to that.
“So, I wouldn’t go so far as to saying no rate rise, but I’ll say that we will try and keep it as tight as we possibly can.”
Cr Koranski said she intended on fulfilling the remainder of the 2020-2024 term and wanted council to continue to help Logan residents.
“I think that it’s really important that the Council continues to be consistent,” she said.
“We know the cost of living is high, but we also know that the community have the services that they expect from Council, and they want those services to continue.
“So at the end of the day, it’s being sympathetic to where our community is at the moment and delivering as much as we can.”
Cr Koranski said she would not be running against current mayor Cr Darren Power in the election next year.
However, some councillors have said it was the city’s worst kept secret that Cr Power intended to retire after one term in the chair.
“… he certainly hasn’t announced his retirement at this stage, so watch this space,” Cr Koranski said.
Former deputy mayor Jon Raven hasn’t formally announced his intentions to enter the 2024 mayoral race either, but it is believed he is waiting for the mayor to formally resign before publicly declaring his hand.
For now, it seems Cr Koranski is taking the time to “settle into a rhythm” of her new job.
“I’m really quite thrilled to have had the support of councillors for the position of Deputy Mayor,” she said.
“I always thought that I’d put my hand up and have a crack and the timing seemed right, so here we are.”
