Launceston City Council: Mayor and Aldermen

Mayor and Aldermen

The Launceston City Council consists of 12 aldermen elected by the community.

On 21 March 1994, following the introduction of the new Local Government Act 1993 (January 1994) the Launceston City Council reaffirmed that its elected members be called aldermen instead of councillors. Their term of office is usually four years with half of the aldermen facing election every two years.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Launceston City Council are elected by public vote at Council Election every two years. The elected candidate must also be elected as an Alderman to be eligible for the position.

Information for voters at Launceston City Council Elections

There is a Code of Conduct for Aldermen (PDF 582KB) that the Aldermen must adhere to.

The Council will reimburse expenditure incurred by the Aldermen in undertaking their role as an Alderman on behalf of the Council. Mayor and Aldermens Expenses Resources Policy (PDF 64KB)

For information on previous Mayors and Aldermen please email the Council.

The current Aldermen of the Launceston City Council are:

Mayor Albert van Zetten

Deputy Mayor Jeremy Ball

Alderman Annette Waddle

Alderman Tony Peck

Alderman Alderman Robin McKendrick

Alderman Ted Sands

Alderman Rosemary Armitage

Alderman Ian Norton

Alderman Rob Soward

Alderman Hugh McKenzie

Alderman Jim Cox

Alderman Danny Gibson

Mayor Albert van Zetten

Term expires as Mayor: 2013

Term expires as Alderman: 2013

First elected: 2005

Elected Mayor: 2007

Alderman van Zetten was first elected in 2005 and elected as Mayor in October 2007. He has spent 17 years as the Chief Executive Officer of Launceston City Mission

and is the Director of his own company. Alderman van Zetten has had over 30 years of experience as a chartered accountant and has been actively involved with several community organisations.

Council committees: Finance and Audit Committee, Strategic Planning and Policy Committee, General Manager's Contract and Performance Review Committee, Launceston Flood Authority, Australia Day Awards and Hall of Fame Committee and the Launceston Bike Committee.

Contact details:

T 03 6323 3101

M 0413 671 926

F 03 6323 3125

E Mayor

Deputy Mayor Jeremy Ball

Term expires as Deputy Mayor: 2013

Term expires as Alderman: 2015

First elected: 2007

Elected Deputy Mayor: 2011

Alderman Ball was elected in November 2007 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Art (NIDA) and a Diploma of Business. He grew up in Launceston but spent most of his adult life studying and working interstate and overseas, spending time in Japan and Europe, and speaks French and Japanese. He last worked as the coordinator of an employment program he devised for migrants and refugees.

Council committees: Economic Development Committee, Strategic Planning and Policy Committee, General Manager's Contract and Performance Review Committee, Community Grants Committee, Launceston Bike Committee, Museum Advisory Committee and the Northern Youth Coordinating Committee.

Contact details:

M 0407 443 800

E Alderman Ball

Alderman Annette Waddle

Term expires: 2015

First elected: 1989

Alderman Waddle was first elected in 1989. She held the position of Deputy Mayor from 1999 to 2005 and Acting Mayor from December 2001 to February 2002.

Alderman Waddle is using her artistic talents, making silk wedding bouquets and wedding flower arrangements. She is also a member of the Country Women’s Association Newham Branch.

Council committees: Strategic Planning and Policy Committee, Events and Sponsorship Committee, Community Grants Committee, Heritage Forest Advisory Committee and the Museum Advisory Committee.

Contact details

M 0407 879 478

F 03 6326 8154
E Alderman Waddle

Alderman Tony Peck

Term expires: 2015

First elected: 1984

Alderman Peck was first elected in 1984. He served as Deputy Mayor from 1990 to 1993, and Mayor from 1993 to 1996. Alderman Peck has been actively involved in the tourism industry for many years and is the owner and operator of a motel in Launceston. He is also strongly involved in the building industry.

Council committees: Economic Development Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, Strategic Planning and Policy Committee, Tender Review Committee, General Manager's Contract and Performance Review Committee, Sister City Committee.

Contact details

T 03 6344 5811

M 0419 878 412

F 03 6343 5513

E Alderman Peck

Alderman Robin McKendrick
Term expires: 2013
First elected: 1981

Alderman McKendrick was first elected in 1981. In 1988 he served as Deputy Mayor. Alderman McKendrick has a retailing and investment background and strong sporting and community interests.

Council committees: Economic Development Committee, Strategic Planning and Policy Committee and the York Park Inveresk Precinct Authority.

Contact details:

M 0419 873 413

E Alderman McKendrick

Alderman Ted Sands

Term expires: 2013

First elected: 1999

Alderman Sands was first elected in 1999. He served as an Alderman until 2002 and was re-elected in 2005. Alderman Sands has interests in landscaping, renovations, house building and fitness training. He is also heavily involved in the community, assisting older Australians with their day-to-day activities and delivering meals on wheels.

Council committees: Strategic Planning and Policy Committee and the Tender Review Committee.

Contact details:
M 0438 540 395
E Alderman Sands

Alderman Rosemary Armitage
Alderman Armitage Term expires: 2013
First elected: 2005

Alderman Armitage was first elected as an Alderman in 2005 and held the position of Deputy Mayor from 2007 to 2009. Alderman Armitage is also part-time Executive Officer for the Northern Division of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Medical Association and is patron of the National Servicemen’s Association Australia – Launceston Sub Branch, Tasmanian Dog Training Club and the Launceston Musical Society.

Council committees: Strategic Planning and Policy Committee, Code of Conduct Panel, Australia Day Awards and Hall of Fame Committee, Cataract Gorge Advisory Committee and the Youth Advisory Group.

Contact details:
T 03 6323 3000
M 0419 341 178
F 03 6323 3190
E Alderman Armitage

Alderman Ian Norton Ian%20Norton%20-%20new
Term expires: 2013
First Elected: 2007

Alderman Norton was elected in November 2007 after spending almost 29 years as Senior Preparator/Research Officer at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. In 1982 he was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research freeze-dry technology. Alderman Norton is CEO of Reptile Rescue Incorporated, a charity coordinating the safe relocation of errant snakes, and is currently researching a snake population at Wesley Vale.

Council Committees: Strategic Planning and Policy Committee, Code of Conduct Panel, Cataract Gorge Advisory Committee, Events and Sponsorship Committee, Community Grants Committee and the Youth Advisory Group.

Contact details:
M 0407 951 437
E Alderman Norton

Alderman Rob Soward Alderman Soward
Term expires: 2013
First Elected: 2009

Alderman Rob Soward was elected in 2009. He has a strong community and sporting background including 18 years as a teacher with the Department of Education. Alderman Soward holds a Bachelor of Education degree and Master of Education degree. Alderman Soward is a past director of the Northern Tasmanian Football League, a past director of Connect (My State Ltd) and was an Australian Rules Football Coach for 16 years. In 2009, Alderman Soward was awarded the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize which saw him represent Tasmania and Australia in Gallipoli, France and Belgium at a range of Commemorative ANZAC services.

Council Committees: Economic Development Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, Strategic Planning and Policy Committee, Northbank Committee and Sister City Committee.

Contact details:
M 0402 357 536
E Alderman Soward

Alderman Hugh McKenzie Alderman McKenzie
Term expires: 2015
First elected: 2011

Alderman McKenzie was elected in October 2011. He is a chartered accountant and was a partner in accounting and business advisory firm KPMG for 24 years, until his retirement in June 2011. He continues as a consultant to the firm. In addition he is a board member of the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority and a Regional Councillor for the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He has been actively involved in many sports over the years, including football, cricket, tennis, golf and cycling, including the role as past president of the Stan Siejka Launceston Cycling Classic. He has also had a long involvement in education as a board member of Scotch Oakburn College for 17 years of which six of those were as Chairman.

Contact details:
M 0418 132 442
F 03 6337 3700
E Alderman McKenzie

Alderman Jim Cox Alderman Cox

Term expires: 2015
First elected: 2011

Further information coming.

Contact details:
T 03 6344 2569

F 03 6344 6952
E Alderman Cox

Alderman Danny Gibson Alderman Gibson

Term expires: 2015
First elected: 2011

Alderman Gibson was elected in October 2011. He is passionate about Launceston and has previously worked for the Education Department, Scotch Oakburn College and most recently, as the Promotions Manager at The Examiner Newspaper. Having travelled extensively, Alderman Gibson is proud to have been educated and had so many enriching life opportunities within Northern Tasmania. Danny is a supporter and leader of the arts and youth initiatives within our community.

Contact details:

E Alderman Gibson
M 0407 096 597