Former Mayor's Role in Promoting Safe Seats at March Election

Media release

January 11, 2025

Former Mayor Renée McLennan will offer Bassendean voters a new political choice as a community independent at the upcoming State election that promises to disrupt the two-party system, which ignores politically safe electorates.

Suffering from decades of neglect by the two major parties, Renée said voters in the safe Bassendean electorate were frustrated at being overlooked and wanted to send a message that resulted in real action and amplified the voices of local people.

“It shouldn't take for an electorate to be marginal in order to get attention from the State and Federal governments,” she said.

“But with Labor having a 30 per cent margin in Bassendean, the major parties aren't compelled to take our local priorities into account at the State level.

“Despite strong advocacy from local government and community groups, facilities that form the heart of our community, like Jubilee Reserve and Bassendean Oval, remain in dire need of upgrades and financial contributions from the State Government.

“Our open spaces are at risk of being lost when private land bankers are enabled to sit on prime real estate instead of building the houses our community needs in the midst of a housing crisis.

“Our mature trees, which keep our suburbs cool and green, are being sacrificed by powerful property developers, leaving our neighbourhoods increasingly hot and barren. While the people of Bassendean work hard to reduce our own emissions, big corporations are allowed to keep polluting and jeopardising our future.

My community is also telling me they want to seize the opportunity presented by the renewable energy transition, one that doesn’t involve supporting new coal and gas, or destroying our environment. People understand that this shift isn’t just about saving the planet, but also about saving money and reducing their cost of living.

“We need a genuine alternative that is loyal to our community, not to a big political party; one that puts people and the planet first, stands up for our local shared values, and is serious about tackling our biggest issues with integrity.”

About Renee

Renée served as an Elected Member for the Town of Bassendean from 2015 to 2023 where she held the position of Mayor from 2017 to 2021 and served as Deputy Mayor from 2021 to 2023. Renée was awarded the Eminent Service Award at WALGA’s 2024 Local Government Awards for her transformational leadership and outstanding achievements serving the Bassendean community.

In her time on Council Renée

Was recognised as a national finalist in the Climate Champion Awards
Pioneered the three-bin FOGO system, increasing the waste diversion rate from 20.6% to 62.2% within the first year.
Set a 30% tree canopy target and took significant steps towards making this goal a reality.
Preserved and enhanced public green spaces, restored wetlands and provided nature based play facilities for the community.
Achieved the WALGA Diploma of Local Government

As a community volunteer Renée

Founded the award winning Bassendean Repair Cafe in 2019 and the Share Shed in in 2021
Champions greening Perth as a member of the WA Tree Canopy Advocates committee
Serves the people of Bassendean as a Justice of the Peace