Councillor profile
Mayor Lou Magro, City of Bayswater, WA
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have served as a City of Bayswater Councillor for 19 years. I was first elected as Mayor in 2001 and served for four years until 2005. I was then re-elected as Mayor again in 2007 for my second term.
Q. Why did you get involved in Local Government?
I was frustrated by the lack of progress in the redevelopment of the old ‘Boans’ Shopping Centre site, which had burnt down in 1986. I believed I could make a difference for the local community by becoming involved in the redevelopment and regeneration of the Morley City Shopping Centre and the Morley Town Centre.
My family was among the pioneers that helped establish the City of Bayswater, so I have always felt a close connection with the community and have taken a keen interest in how the area developed. As councils are the sphere of government closest to the people and arguably have the greatest impact on people’s lives, it seemed a logical decision. In essence I wanted to get involved to make a difference and I was encouraged in that ambition by friends and colleagues.
Q. Tell us about your Local Government area.
The City of Bayswater is located around five kilometres northeast of Perth’s CBD in Western Australia. We enjoy a high quality living environment that includes ten kilometres of the Swan River foreshore, as well as the regionally significant Morley Galleria shopping centre.
We are a medium sized council covering an area of about 33 square kilometres and serving a population of around 56,000 residents. We are large enough to deliver excellent services to our residents and small enough to care about the individual.
We take pride in our badge as ‘The Garden City – Quality Lifestyle’, which reflects our emphasis on meticulously maintained parks and gardens and on improving our residents’ lifestyles.
Q. What issues are important to you?
There are several issues that are close to my heart. These include youth programs, the activation of town centres, and nodal development on our foreshore to bring vibrancy to our City and enhance community spirit.
I was instrumental in establishing Lead On in Western Australia, an organisation that aims to strengthen the relationship between youth, business and the broader community. It also allows young people to gain life skills and potentially become leaders.
We are very fortunate to have the Swan River running through Perth. While I and many others would like to see small identified nodes of development along the river line, we must protect the natural environment while doing so. Foreshore sustainability is an area that is chronically underfunded by the State and Federal Government and Council will pursue this issue.
I am also passionate about urban design and Council’s responsibility to ensure that built form impacts positively on the quality of life of our residents. Therefore it is essential we have in place design guidelines that encourage quality developments that add value to the City and make a positive contribution to the way people interact with the built environment.
But at the end of the day, it is people that are important to me. I believe in providing good customer service and ensuring that the services we offer are of a high standard, affordable and represent value for money.
Q. What innovative projects is your council working on?
We have always been an innovative Council. We built the State’s first wave pool, were the first in WA to introduce a community security patrol service and the first in the State to introduce a co-mingled recycling service.
We are currently working on a number of major projects. These include the revitalisation and activation of our three Town Centres, which will add vibrancy to our community.
Council will also commence a major street beautification program this financial year, which will result in thousands of trees being planted on our verges.
Q. What has been your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement to date has been initiating the Swan and Helena River Management Framework. This regional plan aims to enhance use of the Swan River through carefully planned land use activities that improve economic, social and environmental values of one of Western Australia’s most unique and valuable natural assets.
This framework guides the future development and restoration of the Swan River foreshore and adjacent lands within the region.
