• Newly elected Stirling deputy mayor Bianca Sandri and mayor Mark Irwin. Photo supplied.

HISTORY was made last Saturday (October 19) when Mark Irwin became Stirling’s first popularly-elected mayor.

Mr Irwin was re-elected as mayor with 39.20 per cent of the vote. Councillor Elizabeth Re came second with 23.08 per cent.

Mr Irwin says getting light rail on Scarborough Beach Road is still a top priority.

“We will continue with our number one priority – the Stirling City Centre – and lobby for funding of the trackless tram/light rail for Scarborough Beach Road,” he says.

“The next four years will be a very exciting time for the city in terms of large infrastructure projects such as the Stephenson Avenue extension, completion of Karrinyup Shopping Centre and the Westfield Stirling redevelopment.

“It is vital that we support and develop thriving and vibrant local centres across the whole city, as well as working towards a better integrated transport strategy for Stirling residents.”

But those residents didn’t seem too enthusiastic about their first chance to choose a mayor, with turnout a measly 26 per cent – down six per cent from the 2017 election.

Last Tuesday, Inglewood councillor Bianca Sandri was voted in as deputy mayor by her colleagues.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK