Less than nine months ago the Nelson Bay mother of two and political newcomer declared she would stand for both east ward and the mayor's job.

While she went within a whisker of ousting incumbent mayor Ryan Palmer, Ms Anderson topped the east ward poll to win a seat as one of three new Labor Party councillors on a new-look council.

"I feel honoured that the residents of east ward have put their trust in me and I want to assure the people that I will always give 150 per cent as an elected representative to my community and the entire Port Stephens area," she said.

"It is a commitment that I take seriously and it is for this reason that I decided to step down from a number of key community boards that I had been a member of over many years."

Ms Anderson said they included Business Port Stephens, Destination Port Stephens and more recently Port Stephens Koalas, where she says she will remain a devoted volunteer.

She would, however, retain her affiliation with other volunteer organisations including Salamander Bay Rotary and Port Stephens Women In Business, which she founded and is a life member, in addition to running her own business, Leah Anderson & Associates Finance Specialists.

"I wanted to stand because while I understand the importance of community groups, it is only on council that one can enact real change. I wanted the opportunity to make decisions which change, for the better, people's lives and their livelihoods."

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Ms Anderson said that she stood alongside her ALP colleagues on a platform of achieving real reform in council transparency and accountability, better community consultation and to work collaboratively with fellow councillors and council staff.

"Regarding transparency, we will be requesting for council to look to restore advertising of DAs and other important information the community needs to know, and additionally we will be requesting council extend public consultation by default for controversial matters."

She said that the environment and climate change were important issues that also needed council attention.

"I would like to form a climate advisory committee consisting members of the various community groups such as Climate Action PS, TRRA and Eco Network with the council experts to meet needs of the community."

Ms Anderson said she would be voting on issues in consultation with the community, not necessarily how the other Labor Party members vote.

"This is the best way I feel that I can serve the people of Port Stephens."

Ms Anderson is one of five new faces recently elected on to council joining the Liberal Party's Matt Bailey in east ward, Labor's Peter Francis in west ward, Labor's Jason Wells in central ward and Independent Peter Kafer in west ward.

They join returning mayor Ryan Palmer and councillors Giacomo Arnott in west ward, Steve Tucker and Chris Doohan in central ward and Glen Dunkley in east ward.

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