Cr Stuart James has been elected as Mayor of Monash City Council for 2025-26, with Cr Elisha Lee to serve as Deputy Mayor.
Cr James thanked his colleagues for their trust and outlined plans for the year ahead.
"We have a big year ahead. We'll be navigating major planning reforms, awarding the tender for our Glen Waverley library and civic centre, planning a major upgrade of Monash Aquatics and Recreation Centre and continuing our advocacy to ensure the Suburban Rail Loop delivers real benefits for our community.
"Sustainability will be a central focus for my Mayoral term. As a council we have a responsibility to lead by example by reducing our environmental footprint, transitioning to a circular economy and helping our community adapt to a changing climate," said Cr James.
Cr James thanked Cr Paul Klisaris and Cr Brian Little for their leadership as Mayor and Deputy Mayor during the previous year.
Cr James was elected to represent Oakleigh Ward in 2016 and now represents Warrigal Ward following changes to ward boundaries in 2024.
He is a long-term Oakleigh resident, an IT professional, Deputy President of the Municipal Association of Victoria and a Board member of the Australian Local Government Association and the Alliance for Gambling Reform.
He has previously served as Mayor in 2019–20 and 2021–22.
Cr Lee was elected to represent Jells Ward in 2024. She is a long-term Monash resident, an admitted lawyer and a proud Korean-Australia who has worked in social policy, intergovernmental relations and economic policy in the public sector.
