Statement on the passing of Troy Pickard

The City of Stirling is saddened by the news that former City of Stirling Councillor and Deputy Mayor Troy Pickard has passed away.

Mr Pickard served as a City of Stirling Coastal Ward Councillor and Deputy Mayor between 2001 – 2005 , before going on serve as Mayor of the City of Joondalup for an incredible 12 years, elected in 2006 and subsequently re-elected in 2009 and 2013.

Mayor Mark Irwin said his thoughts and heartfelt condolences were with Troy's family and loved ones.

“Troy Pickard served the community of Stirling well as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor, and went on to lead Joondalup for over a decade with distinction through a period of sustained growth and development, highlighted by winning the World’s Most Liveable City in 2011,” he said.

“During that time, the City of Stirling enjoyed a warm and productive relationship with Mr Pickard. During his Presidency of WALGA he fought against the plan to forcibly amalgamate local governments, and later as President of the national Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) he advocated for greater funding from the Federal Government.

“In total he served as Deputy President of WALGA for two years and President for over five years, Australian ALGA President for two years and then on the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives for four years.

“He was the first West Australian Mayor to serve as ALGA President in 30 years, and was appointed to the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) in 2008.

“Through the Tri-City advocacy alliance that the Cities of Joondalup, Stirling, and Wanneroo formed, the northern suburbs were able to lobby State and Federal Governments for more planning powers and significant additional funds.”

In an interview of June 2015 during his Presidency of ALGA, Troy Pickard was asked who his greatest influence was:

“From a local government perspective, a great influence for me was former Mayor at the City of Stirling Tony Vallelonga, especially during the time I served as a Councillor with him. I learnt a great deal from Tony, he was a bold, innovative and inspiring Mayor as well as a strong and effective leader."

In more recent times, Mr Pickard worked in the private sector as the General Manager for Global Drone Solutions, a Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) national SME drone pilot training provider.

The City of Stirling acknowledges the passing of a servant of Western Australia.

Vale Troy Pickard.