Former mayor Rod Kendall has called time on his tenure at WWCC, after 20 years. Photo: Wagga Wagga City Council.
Wagga Wagga City Council’s (WWCC) longest-serving current councillor and former mayor Rod Kendall has called time on his 20 years of service after choosing not to seek re-election.
Mr Kendall was first elected to council in 2004 and served as a councillor for eight years before being elected mayor in 2012 (through 2016).
Following another two successful terms as a councillor, Mr Kendall chose not to run for the upcoming local government elections, in hopes of spending more time in the cockpit and on the golf course.
“Twenty years can fly by when you’re having a good time,” Mr Kendall said.
“When I make a commitment to doing something, I make sure that I do it properly but I’ve also made sure I’ve had a good time while doing it. That’s my best advice to future councillors or anyone choosing to do anything; don’t do anything that you’re not enjoying doing.
“Certainly during my role as councillor, there have been some challenging times but it has always been enjoyable. As a councillor, you have that feeling that you know you’re doing the best you can for the community; it’s a very important role for the community but a very rewarding one individually.”
Rod Kendall served as mayor for four years between 2012 and 2016. Photo: Wagga Wagga City Council.
Mr Kendall reflected on his two decades as a councillor and the many decisions he made, citing the Special Activation Precinct as one of the biggest and best.
“That will be a huge employment generator in this city and a growth generator in this city over the next 100 years or so,” he said.
“In saying that, one decision like that doesn’t change the city overnight. You don’t walk down the street and see a difference instantaneously; the role brings change over a long period of time.
“Just tonight (Monday 26 August) we considered a development application for some shop top housing. Right now that decision doesn’t look like much and when the city looks back in 100 years, they might not think it’s that significant but that will probably be one of the first of its kind.”
Mr Kendall said although his time on WWCC was now over, he would continue to tune in to meetings and the decisions that came about.
“I’ll stay interested in council for the rest of my life,” he said.
“Having new councillors on council is always important. The one thing I know absolutely is that a small turnover of councillors, one or two, maybe even three, in a group of nine new councillors, brings new and fresh ideas and perspectives.
“It’s too late for me to encourage people to stand for election, but for any young person out there who is considering for a role on council, give me a ring. My number is still on the WWCC website; feel free to have a chat. I’ve always believed that you get more out of the role than you put in and I’ve sure got a lot out of my time on council.”
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