Katherine Mayor Fay Miller has tonight announced her retirement.
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After many years in public service, both on the Katherine Town Council and as a parliamentarian, Mayor Miller plans to step down on November 30.
Mayor Miller was diagnosed in March this year with an illness that is manageable, but not curable.
It was the reason given for the controversial change in policy which saw the election of Peter Gazey as deputy mayor and the abandonment of the rotation policy which effectively cost Matt Hurley and John Zelley the deputy's role as had been previously agreed.
As a result of that diagnosis and advice from her haemotologist, Ms Miller will be relocating nearer to medical assistance.
"It has been such a privilege to serve the Katherine community since I was first elected as an Alderman at a by-election in 2002, elected to the Legislative Assembly as the Member for Katherine at a by-election in 2003, re-elected as Member for Katherine in 2004, retiring at the 2008 general election following a vehicle accident.
"I was privileged to be elected as Mayor of Katherine at the 2012 elections and re-elected at the 2017 local government elections," Mayor Miller said.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed representing Katherine in every aspect and have been exceptionally privileged to be re-elected to the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory Executive since 2012 and current until the AGM in November.
"In addition, I was appointed to the position of chairperson of the Big Rivers Regional Reconstruction Committee at its inception 4 years ago, board member of the Ministerial Advisory Council of Senior Territorians, board member of the NT Grants Commission.
"I have also represented the Katherine region on many committees associated with tourism over 25 years in addition to local committees."
"Thanks to the wonders of modern medicine, I am currently experiencing stable health, and certainly hope to continue as long as possible on that path."
Mayor Miller said her resignation does not automatically trigger a by-election due to the timeframe to the next local government elections in August 2021.
Council is seeking advice from the Department of Local Government in regard to the vacancy of the Mayor's position.
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