Councillors play a vital leadership role, working together to create and implement our community’s vision, strategic direction and the values within which they operate.

Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors are all elected for four-year terms. The West Tamar Council has nine (9) Councillors, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who are popularly elected.

Find out what committees your Councillors are representatives on here

Christina Holmdahl

Mayor

Since being elected to the West Tamar as both Councillor and Mayor, my priority and focus has been to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the community, to represent and promote your best interests and to ensure order and good governance of Council and in the community.

Since being elected as Mayor, I have given my full-time commitment to continue as I have in the previous four years and I will take every opportunity to make where we live an even better place.

DELEGATIONS: Frankford Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground Committee (proxy), ANZAC Day Committee, General Manager Evaluation Committee, Positive Ageing Committee.

Jess Greene

Deputy Mayor

Jess joined Council in 2020 and was elected Deputy Mayor in 2023. Jess sits on the Council Audit Panel, YAC, the Community Development Unit, and the Tourism Development Unit, working to enhance transparency and promote the region.

Jess is also Council’s voting representative for LGAT and sits on the City of Launceston Homelessness Advisory Committee. Residing in Riverside with her young family, Jess is a passionate community advocate and volunteer, devoted to creating a brighter future for all in the West Tamar Council.

DELEGATIONS: Frankford Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground Committee, Community Development Unit, Tourism Development Unit, City of Launceston Homelessness Advisory Group, Audit Panel, General Manager Evaluation Committee, Youth Advisory Council, LGAT General Meeting.

Joy Allen

Councillor

I am an active member of our community and Council, I have been a councillor for 17 years, eight of these as Deputy Mayor.

I give proven full-time leadership and commitment to address your needs. We need to work together to build a strong healthy community. All essential services need to be delivered equally throughout our WT community including appropriate infrastructure.

I have past experience in Community Development, Youth, health and welfare. I am the current chair of both the Exeter Childcare Centre & Beaconsfield Health & Wellbeing Association. I am a community member of the Tamar Valley Business Association, the northern advisory committee & Exeter Improvement committee.

DELEGATIONS: Community Development Unit, Recreational Development Unit, Tourism Development Unit, Positive Ageing Committee, Youth Advisory Committee, Rowella Hall Committee (proxy), General Manager  Evaluation Committee.

Lynden Ferguson

Councillor

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve and represent you as one of your local government councillors. I am married to Andrea and with our family love living in the West Tamar.

Effective and independent representation is vital for our council to continue to deliver quality services across our municipality. With your support and input, I will continue to ensure we keep our local council healthy and well
positioned for the future.

If I can help you in any way, please reach out.

DELEGATIONS: Winkleigh Hall Committee, Infrastructure Unit, General Manager Evaluation Committee, Youth Advisory Council.

Richard Ireland

Councillor

Now into my third term, I continue to work hard with integrity and competence for our ratepayers. I have the energy and vision to make West Tamar an even better place to live, work and visit. I am always available to listen to ratepayer concerns and do my best to find resolutions as I believe every member of the community has a right to be heard.

My engineering background and business experience puts me in a good position to understand technical, planning and financial issues. I am politically independent and believe Council should be there for the whole
community. West Tamar is a fast-growing community and I will endeavour to ensure that growth is well managed.

DELEGATIONS: Exeter Community Hub Management Committee, Audit Panel, TasWater Deputy Chief Owners Representative, General Manager Evaluation Committee.

Geoff Lyons OAM

Councillor

Work secretary Beaconsfield Hospital; business manager LGH; head of office to the Attorney General; MHR 2010- 13: chair Procedures Committee, member Health and Ageing Committee, Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry, Privileges and M’s Interests; Speakers Panel; chair of the Australian Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving; chair of the Caucus Economics Committee. Volunteer president of the NTFA and NTNA, life member SLSA, SLST, LLSC, NLFC; OAM. I have contributed by supporting many projects on the West Tamar.

DELEGATIONS: Community Development Unit, Recreational Development Unit, Infrastructure Unit, Emergency Management Committee, General Manager Evaluation Committee.

Joshua Manticas

Councillor

Over the past 12 months, I’ve had the privilege of serving our community as a dedicated councillor, committed to driving positive change in our community.

I want to express my gratitude to our residents for their support and trust. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m deeply thankful for the opportunity to represent your interests. Together, we’ve made strides in creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous community.

As we continue to work together, I’m excited about the future and the potential for even greater accomplishments.

DELEGATIONS: Tourism Development Unit, Infrastructure Unit, General Manager Evaluation Committee, Youth Advisory Council.

Rick Shegog

Councillor

Rick has been your councillor since 2007 and past deputy mayor. He is 55 years of age and has two children in their 20’s and lives at Trevallyn. Rick grew up in Exeter on a farm, went to Exeter Primary and Riverside High Schools.

Rick wants to make your Council become more contemporary and inclusive, with increased community participation and consultation when making decisions. Rick is a paramedic with Ambulance Tasmania
and is based in Launceston.

DELEGATIONS: Winkleigh Hall Committee (proxy), Rowella Hall Committee,  General Manager Evaluation Committee, NRM North, Tamar Natural Resource Management Inc.

Dr Julie Sladden

Councillor

As a passionate advocate for community health and wellbeing it is a privilege to serve as West Tamar Councillor. Since being elected I have prioritised listening to the views and concerns of the community, to help ensure truly informed decisions by Council. I believe community wellbeing is a product of several factors which the Council is well-placed to influence beyond ‘rates, roads and rubbish’.

This includes understanding specific community needs, planning and delivering infrastructure to promote wellbeing, and facilitating services and businesses to help the community flourish. Playgrounds, footpaths, greenspaces, and great roads are my priority. I want to help make West Tamar the place to thrive for all ages.

DELEGATIONS: Exeter Community Hub Management Committee, Recreation Development Unit, Beaconsfield Community Health and Wellbeing Association, City of Launceston Homelessness Advisory Group (proxy), General Manager Evaluation Committee.