Mid Murray Mayor Simone Bailey will step down in November

After an eventful term as mayor of the Mid Murray district, Simone Bailey will step down this November.

The Mannum-based leader announced her decision on Thursday morning, three months before nominations open for this year’s local government elections.

Having guided the district through the 2022-23 floods and improved its financial position, she said, she had accomplished what she had set out to do.

“I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, from simple emergency flood support like sand deliveries across the river, to securing large funding for flood recovery, standpipe automation, sporting infrastructure, tourism initiatives and drought support, including hay deliveries for farmers doing it tough,” she said in a social media post.

“We have strengthened council financially, delivered community infrastructure, and advocated strongly at every level of government.”

She had loved serving as mayor, she said, and committed to continuing until the election was decided in November.

She was grateful for the support she had received, the conversations she had had and the trust the community had placed in her.

But the role had taken a heavy mental, emotional and financial toll, owing to the long hours, modest pay, online scuttlebutt and unkind messages.

Critically, life would continue to be tough for all regional councils until federal and state governments provided them with “fairer funding and greater support”.

Still, she encouraged anyone interested in becoming an elected member to strongly consider it.

“I care deeply about local government, and I want to see Mid Murray continue moving forward in a sustainable manner,” she said.

“If I can support or mentor someone to step up, I would be more than happy to do so.

“I’m hopeful the positive momentum continues for our community’s future.”

Ms Bailey was elected mayor in November 2022, on the day after a state of emergency was declared along the River Murray as Mannum prepared for the worst floods in more than 60 years.

She had previously served for four years as a Mid Murray councillor while working as the executive officer at the Aminya nursing home.

She had aspired to serve at a higher level of government, running as the Labor candidate for Hammond at this year’s state election, but finished second to One Nation candidate Robert Roylance.