By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Peter McIlwain has been elected as the new Councillor for Lyster Ward, winning the recent council election against Mick Spruhan and Divesh Sareen.
In a recent interview with Star Mail, Councillor Peter McIlwain shared his thoughts on the campaign, his goals for the future, and his excitement about working with the local community.
When asked if his win was expected, he said he wasn’t sure how things would unfold.
“I ran on issues I believe to be important, rather than popular or safe ones,” he said.
“I was delighted to get strong support, especially from younger people who felt strongly about my stance on climate change.”
Cr McIlwain also made it clear that his goal hasn’t changed since the start of the campaign.
“I didn’t make promises; I ran on the approach of being open and honest with the community. That hasn’t changed at all,” he said.
In his new role, he’s now aiming to see that the council has programs in place to deal with the effects of climate change and to reduce carbon emissions meaningfully.
He also wants to oversee the adoption of new technology to improve council operations for both residents and the local government.
Another key priority for Cr McIlwain is providing a strong relationship between local businesses and the cultural practices of the community.
When asked about what excites him most about his new role, he spoke about the people of the Yarra Ranges.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting and working with the people of Yarra Ranges, helping them work together and bringing out everyone’s talents and abilities,” he said.
Cr McIlwain expressed his deep gratitude, reflecting on the trust the residents of Lyster Ward have placed in him.
“I’m deeply touched that the people of Lyster Ward have put their hope and trust in me, especially at a time when we’re facing significant challenges locally and globally and I look forward to working with the community to create a strong future for us all,” he said.
Cr McIlwain, who has lived in Lyster Ward for many years and raised his family there, said he knows the area well.
“I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges and the strength of our community through fires, storms, and the pandemic,” he said.
“I understand how important it is for us to work together for our shared future.”
“I’m eager to hear your thoughts and ideas on how we can make our beautiful part of the world even better – I’m always open to chatting, whether it’s at local events, community meetings, or just running into you around town.”
Peter McIlwain’s election as Councillor marks the beginning of a new chapter for Lyster Ward, with a focus on climate action, technological innovation, and community collaboration.
