BY OLI GOELDNER
Former NBN weatherman Gavin Morris has announced he will be running for Lord Mayor in the upcoming by-election.
He announced his candidacy on Friday morning, with the endorsement of former Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge.
Mr Morris said he plans to run as an Independent.
"There is a lot to do from here on in," he said.
"I have to build a campaign, I need volunteers, I need to build funding, I need to engage with the community, and that is my focus right now.
"If I were elected Lord Mayor, I would take what I learn over the next week and help it guide with the decisions that need to be made for the betterment of our city in the future."
It follows Cr Ross Kerridge resigning from the position on Monday due to his ongoing battle with cancer.
Mr Morris said he believes his skills in the media will be beneficial if he is to be elected.
"I've been a member of the media for more than 40 years and I have a unique skill set and I think a lot of those skills from my days in media and engaging with the community carry over beautifully into the position of Lord Mayor," he explained.
"And I feel it's really important to come in completely afresh.
"I am not connected and I am not influenced by any past goings-on in the council and I think that is really important, not just for me but for the future Lord Mayor.
"I think it's really important that that future Lord Mayor is completely and truly independent.
"I think that's more important than just about anything else."
The upcoming by-election for the position is expected to be held in mid-April.
