Albany councillors reflect on mayor’s legacy of infrastructure, co-operative leadership and big shoes to fill

City of Albany councillors have reacted to Dennis Wellington’s announcement that he will not be contesting October’s ordinary election by reflecting on his “strong” leadership and lasting legacy. Cr Greg Stocks was first elected to the City’s council in 2011, the same year Mr Wellington took over the top job. Mr Stocks spent eight years as deputy mayor during that time and he told the Advertiser Mr Wellington had been a fantastic leader and the “right man for the time”. “We’ve been able to reduce our debt from $25 million to $6.5m since 2011, so that was pretty precarious,” Cr Stocks said. “Financially, the City is in a much better position and infrastructure wise you’ve only got to look around at what’s been done. “He had vision because our infrastructure has improved remarkably, Albany is a better place to live for his input.” Current Deputy Mayor Sandie Smith said Mr Wellington had always been a strong advocate for Albany and had been able to attract significant levels of Federal and State funding for projects. “He’s maintained a very steady leadership on council and very co-operative — certainly from the time of been on council and from what I’ve heard before that as well,” she said. “He’ll leave a very strong legacy and you can’t achieve those things without the leadership of a cooperative council.” Cr Paul Terry, who was first elected in 2015, said there is a bright future ahead for Albany. “Dennis has been a good leader for Albany and we’ve achieved a lot in the last 11 and a half years, going on 12 years,” he said. “There is a bright future ahead leading up to 2026 and I like forward to being part of that future.” Cr Chris Thomson said Mr Wellington had been a great mayor at a time “at a time when the council needed to pull together”. “I’ve certainly benefited as a councillor from that period of stability that was ushered in after he came in,” he said. “I respect his decision in terms of stepping down, three terms is a massive achievement and I’m looking forward to helping in some small way to continue on with stable governance in the City of Albany.” Cr Amanda Cruse and Cr Delma Baesjou, who are serving their first terms on council, both indicated Mr Wellington would leave “big shoes to fill”. “Dennis has been a hardworking mayor and successful advocate for Albany for many years — he’s leaving quite a legacy and we’ve been lucky to have him,” Cr Amanda Cruse. Cr Baesjou added Mr Wellington should be “really pleased” with what he had done to help the City of Albany.