Shane Van Styn banking on track record, leadership skills to secure him third term as Greater Geraldton Mayor

After eight years in the mayoral role, Shane Van Styn is running for his third term, determined to finish what he started. When Mr Van Styn moved to Geraldton 25 years ago, working as an accountant, he soon began attending council meetings to challenge the finances of the City. “As I got more involved in attending council meetings, I fell into running for council and after four years as a councillor, I decided to run for mayor as it became apparent a need for strong financial discipline, due to excessive rate rises and growing expenditure, was required from the top,” he said. Mr Van Styn’s core focus in his re-election campaign is strength and stability — running with the tagline of “Keep the Great in Greater Geraldton”. He says he is proud of the council and leadership team behind him, which have made Geraldton the city it is today. He said his fight for another term was justified by what the City would face over the next four years — including an economic slowdown, inflation and the cost-of-living crisis hitting hard — and he knows he will continue to be a safe pair of hands. “Geraldton has also been presented with many opportunities to not only overcome these challenges but to come out stronger and greater,” he said. Mr Van Styn is determined to see the biggest projects in the city materialise. He lists the Spalding urban renewal, Meru upgrades, Aquarena revamp and possible Maitland Park transport hub as some of the city’s most important initiatives. Mr Van Styn is not shy to admit he is running on his “record of delivering strong and stable leadership”. “I’m certainly running on (my) track record ... I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved,” he said. He calls on residents to reflect on the transformative work the council had achieved in the past eight years and to afford him the opportunity for another four years to continue this work. Running alongside him for mayor is his current deputy, Jerry Clune. Mr Van Styn thanked Cr Clune for his professionalism throughout his service, but said they had different styles of leadership. Nevertheless, he said he was incredibly proud of the council and its performance over the last term. “There hasn’t been a single grievance in council, and we’ve functioned incredibly effectively. We’ve been used as an exemplar by councillors around the State, and interstate,” he said. When asked about his own performance, he was confident with his response. “I’ve demonstrated that I have given it my all, I’ve left nothing on the table,” he said. Reflecting on his service, and whether he would do anything differently should he be elected again, Mr Van Styn gave a firm “no”. “As we go forward, it’s about continuing to maintain those relationships with investment,” he said. “We’ve set a 10-year plan, we’re in year eight now, so it’s time to reassess where we’re at and where we want to be.” When asked where rates sit in the 10-year plan, Mr Van Styn said they were of great importance and the council had bid to keep increases between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent. “The City runs a break-even budget, there is no scope for spending big but also if you want to cut rates, then you need to slash services — that means less Aquarena, less ranger duties, less road repairs and mowing,” he said. After eight years as mayor, it can’t all be smooth sailing, and Mr Van Styn knows the biggest challenge facing him. “You can’t please everybody. You need to understand everyone has different problems, and someone’s small problem might be someone else’s catastrophe and have empathy for that,” he said. “It’s hard to bring my loved ones into this role. It’s a 24/7 job for me, but not for them. Sometimes people will come and sit at the table while we’re out at dinner,” referring to his fiance, Jazzlyn Leonard. “I’m consumed by the role. I don’t struggle with it but I struggle watching people around me be impacted by the consumption.” Mr Van Styn and Ms Leonard are set to tie the knot in January 2025 in New Zealand, where Ms Leonard hails from.