Against the grain: Holroyd mayor Ross Grove prides himself on having the courage to "rock the boat a bit". This year he's proposed Holroyd and Parramatta councils should merge some services and proposed a $20 toll for the M4 East project. Picture: Anthony Johnson
AT 26 years old, Ross Grove is already a two-term veteran on council — and last September was elected Holroyd's first Liberal mayor.
Personal accolades like these are something Cr Grove has become used to during his political career, but not something he likes to dwell on.
"For years now I've been named the youngest member in a variety of different roles," he said.
"It's true, youth is a part of my brand but I'm here to be a mayor for everyone."
In the first six months of his mayoral term Cr Grove has overhauled the council's notoriously slow processing time for development applications, sought applications for the vacant Merrylands Kidseum building and attracted new financial investors to the district.
Cr Grove said he prides himself on being able to "take people out of their comfort zones" and "shake things up a bit".
"This, I think, will be my lasting legacy for Holroyd Council," he said.
So what next for the ambitious young mayor?
This year Cr Grove plans to enact major changes for the Merrylands CBD and set the ground-work for Stockland Mall's long-awaited connection with Merrylands Road.
The mayor has also set his sights to better utilise the business space near Merrylands station and build affordable apartments in the CBD.
He said he wants to make the changes without big rate rises and wants new sources of revenue for council.