With the 2020 Local Government Election seven months away, one North West mayor has stated she will not run to reclaim her title.
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Belinda Murphy will be stepping back from local government to focus on her business and young family, after eight years as McKinlay Shire Council mayor.
Cr Murphy said she had enjoyed her time with council and it had been an enormous experience.
"It is a very demanding job and I am so glad I have done it and feel like we have achieved a lot, but for me it is time for me to step back," she said.
Cr Murphy said she had loved most of her time as mayor, with some big milestones being achieved.
"We inherited a good financially stable council so we were able to build on that. We increased the sealed works across the shire by over 250km and we were able to capitalise on the visitor information centre and continue to grow our tourism.
"Even though McKinlay Shire has been in drought for my two terms of council followed by a natural disaster this year, we haven't seen the town demise.
"We've had tough times but we have seen new businesses open, we haven't seen a lot of long-term people leave like other areas have and I think that is a testament to not only council but also the community as a whole."
Alongside her biggest achievements, also came Cr Murphy's biggest challenges.
"I feel that we have moved into this age of keyboard warriors and social media.
"The reality is that there are members of the community that want to throw rocks and there is little consequence.
"It is quite stressful as a mayor, for your family and your business and it comes to a point after eight years of it that you need a break.
"It is disappointing to see that in small communities, but it is something you have to wear and get on with."
Cr Murphy said this was not the entire reason for stepping back from council.
"The main reason is because of my family - they have never known anything else," she said.
"I was away a considerable amount of time and that was for the benefit of the shire.
"I still love our community and will do as much as I can.
"I encourage people to look seriously at council. Yes it a big job and yes it is challenging but we need good people running for council."
Cr Murphy was appointed to the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) board and said she will contribute to the north at a higher level.
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