Eleven years on, long term Gisborne resident Rob Guthrie has returned to the position of deputy mayor at Macedon Ranges council.
Councillor Guthrie first joined council in 2003 and served until 2012.
After completing a term as deputy mayor (2009-10) and mayor (2010-11) Cr Guthrie stepped down from council.
But after a hiatus of eight years, he said he felt compelled to return to local government to help shape the region’s future.
“I came back for the future of Gisborne, to contribute to land use planning, because there’s some we’re getting right and some we’re getting wrong, and a lot we don’t have control over,” he said.
“I know people don’t want the rate of [developmental] change, but it’s hard to slow.”
Cr Guthrie first moved to the shire in 1986 and has lived in the same home in Gisborne for the past 22 years.
He said he’s always loved the “natural beauty” of the region and admired the resilience of the community through the challenging past 12 months of COVID-19 restrictions and storm damage.
“I’m looking forward to the year, Jennifer [Anderson] has done a very good job as mayor in difficult circumstances,” Cr Guthrie said.
Oliver Lees
