Cr Boothman announces resignation

At today’s Ordinary Council Meeting of Tuesday 3 August, Councillor David Boothman JP will announce his intention to resign as an elected member, effective 6 August 2021.

Cr Boothman has been Councillor of the Balga Ward since 1994, and served as Mayor from 2007 until 2013, in addition to serving as Deputy Mayor from 2000 to 2001.

During his 27 years of service, Cr Boothman contributed to the development of the City on almost every committee of Council, including but not limited to;

• Planning and Development Committee (presiding member)
• Metro North-West Joint Development Assessment Panel
• Mindarie Regional Ordinary Meeting of Council (chairperson and audit committee)
• Crime Prevention Advisory Group
• WALGA North Metro Zone Committee
• WALGA State Ordinary Meeting of Council Road Safety Working Group
• Audit Committee
• Strategic Property Committee
• Resources Management Committee
• Stirling Alliance Board
• Scarborough Environs Area Strategy Steering Committee
• Mirrabooka Project Steering Committee
• Local Emergency Management Advisory Committee (chair)
• North Metropolitan Catchment Group (chair)
• Road Safety Committee (chair)

Cr Boothman said he was very proud and honoured to have served his local community for more than a quarter of a century, and grateful to his wife Heather for her love and support.

“I am proud to have been able to serve Balga for 27 years, and I’d like to think that I have contributed in a number of ways to making the City one of the best local governments in the nation,” he said.

Mayor Mark Irwin said Councillor Boothman had made significant commitment to local residents both through his work and volunteering.

“Cr Boothman was a police officer before joining Council, where he was awarded WALGA Life Membership, Long and Loyal Service, and the Distinguished Service Award,” he said.

“Combined with his strong interests in community safety, sustainability, and environment, Councillor Boothman has also demonstrated outstanding and invaluable contribution to the Balga community and Local Government sector.”

City of Stirling Chief Executive Officer Stuart Jardine PSM said that Cr Boothman was a solid performer and a well-respected leader across the local government sector.

“He has always been a man of integrity and common sense, whose career included such highlights as being the Mayor that secured the first allocation of funding for the Scarborough Foreshore Redevelopment, an historic turning point in the area’s history,” he said.

“The bold vision we have for the City of Stirling – including the redevelopment of the Stirling City Centre and the investigation of innovative measures such as Trackless Tram – can all trace their origins back to the anchoring success of the Scarborough redevelopment.

“The future we are seeking to build rests in part on the foundations of his solid, consistent achievements, and thus his true legacy will only continue to grow. And in a final testament to his humility, I am sure he would shy away from many of the statements that will be made about his legacy today.

“This does not make them any less true; indeed, I submit this further proves his character, and it has been a privilege to work with and serve alongside him during his time as Councillor and Mayor.”

Councillor Boothman will retire to a property outside of the City of Stirling, which the Councillor believes will make it not possible to serve his local community up until the October election to the high standard he has always held for himself.

In a local government election year, if an Elected Member retires after July, the position remains vacant until the ordinary elections. As a result, an extraordinary election will not be held, and the position will remain vacant until the October 2021 elections.

Council will consider a motion this evening to fill the committee roles vacated by the Councillor’s retirement.