About
A local, first
Janet has been a Sorell councillor since 2022 and Mayor since June 2024. A mum and wife who ran the Sorell School canteen for years before the mayoralty became the full-time job, and a Wattle Hill fire brigade volunteer for thirteen years and counting.
Why I stood
My family and I live in this community; my children were educated here. I have been an active volunteer in this community for many years, and Sorell councillor for the last two years — it has been a privilege.
Having established connections around the municipality enables me to have honest and engaging conversations. Through these conversations I have gained a valuable understanding of what is required for our community’s healthy future.
As Mayor, I will lobby all areas of Government to advocate for our unique municipality, to support our growing needs and drive positive progress — through employment, leisure, education, and health. I am told that my strength lies in my ability to collaborate, connect, and identify opportunities. I value all 18 of Sorell’s communities in our region, whilst recognising the diverse and fragile environment we all live in.
We live in testing and uncertain times. I intend to enable progress for us all without costly disruption.
Janet Gatehouse, 2024 mayoral leaflet
My personal and professional values are honesty, family — which includes my community — and safety. Janet Gatehouse, 2024
Service to Sorell
Volunteer work across the municipality — before council, and still now.
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Sorell School Association
Ten years on the association while her own children were at the school, four of them as Chair. Through the association she drove the collaboration with government on the rebuild of the school and the establishment of the Nest, the child and family learning centre, built partnerships with Bendigo Bank Sorell, Sorell Lions and Sorell Rotary, and sat on the redevelopment’s project working group.
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Tasmania Fire Service
Thirteen years a volunteer member of the Wattle Hill brigade, and co-ordinator of its junior cadet programme. Ran youth and adult fire events and competitions between brigades, and took fire safety and being prepared out to the community — getting to know the neighbours isolated in the bush.
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Bream Creek Show
Steward, and a keen Hall of Industries exhibitor — first prize for her kiss biscuits in 2025. Assisting with the Hall, and Patron of the show since 2025.
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The community BBQ
“I pride myself on cooking a damn good community BBQ. I am more than happy to spend the day turning sausages for any fundraiser. I’m also a very happy chair stacker at the end of an event!”
School grade camps, the cheer team, South East Netball Association, five years for South East Little Athletics, and the volunteer food service at Pembroke Park, cooking so the clubs can raise money for themselves.
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The Salvation Army
Weekly youth activities, and a strong influence on the establishment of Fitzies, the council’s youth hub, and on getting a youth worker employed by council.
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The farm
Janet and her family run a working farm.
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Girl Guides, Collective Ed and more
Girl Guides, SENA Suns and the Beacon Foundation’s Collective Ed programme at Sorell School.
On council
Elected as a councillor in 2022. Elected Mayor in June 2024, taking 4,706 votes.
As Mayor
- Chairs the Municipal Emergency Management Committee
- Sits on the Sorell Planning Authority
- Represents Sorell on TasWater
- Represents Sorell on the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority
- Represents Sorell on the South East Regional Development Association
- Represents Sorell on the joint authority of owner councils that oversees Southern Waste Solutions
- Involved in the council’s long-term environmental plan, the Natural Resource Management Strategy, and its Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program
Find out more
- Southern Waste Solutions — on the joint authority of owner councils that oversees it.
- Natural Resource Management Strategy — council’s long-term environmental plan.
- Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program — protecting Sorell’s coastline.
- Fitzies — Sorell Council’s youth hub.
- Lift the Tone — council’s campaign for respect in public debate.
- b kinder foundation — she signed council and three state schools up to it.
- South East Regional Development Association — economic development for the south east.
Much of the job is advocacy: putting Sorell in front of local, state and federal government, building the networks, and helping attract funding.
Southern Beaches stormwater
Driving the stormwater programmes with council, with community collaboration along the way.
Sorell Urgent Care Clinic
The clinic is operational, with imaging services on the way.
Funding attracted for Sorell
Advocacy for the history room update, pavement upgrades in Sorell, the community precinct, pathways at Dodges Ferry, slowing traffic at Park Beach, and environmental projects.
Keeping Sorell moving forward
As Mayor, I lobby every level of government to support the growing needs of our municipality. A mayor does not build a causeway, but a mayor can make sure Sorell is not forgotten when the decisions are made.
Uniting community and opportunity, people and place.