Tributes are being paid to former Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter who was found dead in her home in Melbourne’s inner west on Tuesday.
Victoria Police said emergency services attended an address in Village Way, Maribyrnong, about 3:45pm on Tuesday and found the body of a 45-year-old woman.
The death is not being treated as suspicious and police are preparing a report for the coroner.
The City of Maribyrnong said the council was “shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing” of Cr Carter, who was Maribyrnong’s first three-time female mayor.
“Councillor Carter was a trusted and valued colleague and her passing is an enormous loss to our community who she has worked tirelessly to support over her 16 years on Council,” the council said in a statement.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the 45-year-old had more to give in her public life.
“This is just a tragedy, a woman taken far too young. When she had so much more to offer in terms of community and public service and I think we all are very much poorer for the loss of the wonderful Sarah Carter,” she said.
Federal Labor MP Tim Watts said he was “devastated” by the death of the former mayor and councillor.
“I had the privilege of seeing first-hand the impact that Sarah had as a councillor and Mayor in Melbourne’s West, as an international aid and development advocate and as a friend. She had an impact on so many people’s lives,” he said.