Welcome for new City of Busselton councillor following second shock resignation

While he may not have spoken publicly about his new role so far, Busselton’s newest councillor stepped out this month to take part in his very first ordinary council meeting. Cr Richard Beecroft was sworn as a councillor on Monday, February 19, after he replaced Sue Riccelli, who bowed out in January just three months after her re-election in October, citing her wish to concentrate on her career. Ms Riccelli had put her hat into the ring for the position of mayor at the same election last year. Under reforms to the Local Government Act 1995, Cr Beecroft was offered the vacant position on council as the next unelected candidate, with his first-preference vote sitting at 557 to Ms Riccelli’s 2305. Cr Beecroft will serve the remainder of Ms Riccelli’s four-year term, which expires in October 2027. Ms Riccelli’s resignation came just two months after the resignation of former councillor Cherise Woodhams for health reasons. Cr Val Kaigg replaced Ms Woodhams after her resignation in late November. Speaking at the council’s ordinary meeting last week, Busselton mayor Phill Cronin said Cr Beecroft’s experience would be welcomed on the council. “I would like to welcome the city’s newest councillor,” he said. “We’ve had a few (new councillors) the last few months, but it’s good to have you, councillor Richard Beecroft. “Cr Beecroft was sworn in on Monday. He’s got extensive knowledge within the aviation industry and having lived in the district for the last 10 years, he will be a welcome addition to the council. So, congratulations and welcome.” Cr Beecroft’s first on-the-record comments came in relation to a question from a member of the public about the clearing of the Vasse River. Councillors at the meeting were also asked to vote on nominations for positions on committees and working groups that fell vacant as a result of Ms Riccelli’s departure, including the CEO’s performance review committee, finance committee, the newly formed waterways management committee and the Busselton Jetty reference group. Nominations were also raised for the waterways management committee. Cr Beecroft did not respond to the Times’ requests for an interview about his new position.