The statutory meeting, held on Monday, November 17, had a short agenda, with the electing of next year’s mayor and deputy being the big ticket items on the list.
Cr Ned Jeffery nominated the current mayor, Cr John Dougall, to be re-appointed to his role, while Cr Nathan Clark put his own hat in the ring.
With five minutes to plead their case each, Cr Dougall said he would focus on building on what had already been forged during his last year of leadership.
“It has been a challenge — it’s been a challenge that I’ve revelled in, I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve got a good handle on things, I feel like we have momentum and I feel like I have the energy to push myself — and the group, and the council — on behalf of the community, even harder.”
Cr Clark, however, argued that a change was necessary, saying that the role should be rotated.
“This is not a promise to be a decorative mayor or a consoling one, this is a promise to be a difficult one for the right people,” he said.
“... Do you want another quiet year in which we behave, and we’re rewarded with more mines, more centralised poor planning, more people losing faith in the point of voting at all? Or, do you want a mayor who will say, clearly and repeatedly, that this is not good enough and demand, publicly, that it change?”
Cr Dougall was re-appointed to his role, with a vote of six to three.
For the role of deputy mayor, Cr Riley Evans nominated Cr Timothy Hanson, while Cr Jeffery put up Cr Andrea Pace for the role.
Cr Hanson began the proceedings, arguing that his over three decades of residency within the shire would aid him in the role.
“Some of you may wonder if I’m the right choice because I am not the loudest in the room. But, I won’t speak just to fill an empty minute,” he said.
“When I do speak, it’s because I’ve thought it through, and it’s meaningful, and that’s the approach I’ll bring to leadership.”
Cr Pace said it was her ability and willingness to show up that would make her the right person for the position.
“You all know that I don’t work for a ward, I work for the whole shire,” she said.
“... I am in a position to give this everything it requires. For me, this isn’t about status, it’s about service. It’s about availability and commitment. Those are my strengths”
Cr Hanson was voted in five to four.
The re-elected mayor, Cr Dougall, thanked his previous deputy, Cr Bob Cornish, and, looking forward, said he was excited to lead during this “exciting time for Mitchell”.
“I am grateful to be entrusted with this responsibility once again,” Cr Dougall said.
“With the support of my fellow councillors, our dedicated staff, local partners and other levels of government, I am confident we can continue to strengthen livability, deliver essential infrastructure, and advocate for the services our growing region needs.”
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