Mandurah's Deputy Mayor Caroline Knight to take on mayoral role as Rhys Williams steps down

The WA Electoral Commission has approved the City of Mandurah's request not to fill the position of mayor until the next council election in October 2025.

This means Deputy Mayor Caroline Knight will step into the mayoral position for the next nine months as Rhys Williams steps down to begin his campaign as the Labor candidate for the seat of Mandurah.

The move will see the City avoid a $250,000 by-election in the early part of 2025.

Mayor Williams' last act as Mayor will be hosting the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony on January 26.

Councillor Knight will then take on mayoral duties from the following day.

Cr Knight has lived in Mandurah for almost 30 years and was first elected to Mandurah Council in 2011. 

She has served as Deputy Mayor alongside Mayor Williams since 2017 and has been part of the West Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) as a local government representative and currently as a WAPC Commissioner, appointed by the Minister for Planning.

Last week, Cr Knight was reappointed by the Minister for Local Government to the State’s Local Government Advisory Board. 

With a background as a medical scientist and a strong commitment to community involvement, Cr Knight is deeply passionate about her local area.

Mayor Willliams said he was thrilled to see Cr Knight stepping into the role. 

“Caroline has been such an outstanding contributor to Mandurah for a long time, and I’m incredibly grateful to her for her service, and for the partnership we have made together in my time as Mayor and her time in the Deputy’s role,” Mayor Williams said.   

“Council’s unanimous decision to avoid an expensive $250,000 by-election for what would be a nine-month term is not only common sense but also is a testament to the trust and confidence by Council in Caroline’s ability to undertake the role of Mayor.” 

Councillor Knight said she is looking forward to continuing to serve the community in this new role. 

“I am excited and honoured to be able to take up the opportunities and challenges this new role presents and continue to lead and serve the community as I have done throughout my time on Council,” Cr Knight said.   

“Thank you to outgoing Mayor, Rhys Williams, for his leadership to Mandurah and the Council over the last seven years. He has led a compassionate, ambitious and collegiate Council that remains responsive to the needs of our community. Mandurah has truly benefitted from his time as Mayor and on behalf of Council I thank him for his commitment. 

“From the big transformative capital works through to smaller neighbourhood projects and programs, Mandurah certainly has so much happening and a lot to look forward to, so I am thrilled to take on this new position and keep the momentum going.”