Katherine's newly appointed alderman has her eyes set on bringing a young voice to council and repairing local government's relationship with residents.
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Last night, Kym Henderson was voted into the Katherine Town Council, filling the vacant alderman position left by new Mayor Lis Clark.
Former Mayor Fay Miller's departure last year led to Lis Clark's election as Mayor, leaving an alderman position vacant until Wednesday night.
The council chose from a range of nominations, with Mrs Henderson being selected via majority vote.
Mrs Henderson said she was surprised but happy the council chose her and is looking forward to bringing a new voice to the local government.
"I'm actually shocked, I was not expecting it," she said.
"I am quite young, but I think that's a good thing, they need a bit of diversity and a strong youth advocate."
The new alderman has lived in the town for most of her life since moving here in 1996 and believes she can take the community's voice into council chambers.
"I think for me it's getting the community voice out there, being strong enough to stand up for what the people of Katherine want," she said.
"I think they (rate payers) want a community that encompasses what they want, and projects that they want to see, they want to see things followed through, they want to have their voices heard."
KTC has been the target of criticism over several controversial flashpoints including their handling of the Territory Day tyre fire and the redevelopment of the town square.
Mrs Henderson said she believes she can help the council repair its strained relationship with Katherine ratepayers.
"[I will] raise the community spirit again... people have pride in their town... if they see something wrong or they see something they want fixed, they can speak to someone about that and it will be heard.
"I'm passionate for what I believe in, I believe in this town, I've been here for a very long time and it's supported me through a lot and it's my turn now to stand up and do something positive."
Mrs Henderson has experience working in multiple levels of politics as an employee at Roper Gulf Regional Council and in the electorate office of Katherine's previous MLA Sandra Nelson.
Despite her previous experience Mrs Henderson said she has no formal ties to a political party.
"I am completely apolitical... I've worked in the electorate office here in town and to do that you need to be apolitical," she said.
"I do not tie myself to any political party at all."
Mrs Henderson said she plans to run for re-election in the upcoming council election, and would have joined the campaign anyway if she wasn't successful on Wednesday night.
In a statement, mayor Lis Clark said she looked forward to working with the new alderman.
"The appointment of Kym to the council will have younger representation from a long term local.
"We look forward to working positively together for the remainder of the term."
Mrs Henderson's term with KTC will commence on Wednesday February 3 until the next scheduled Local Government Election in August 2021.
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