General News
17 November, 2024
Term of challenges, new council declared
By CHRIS EARL A NEW team will lead Loddon Shire into what long-time councillor Gavan Holt has said will be an exciting time with challenges and tough decisions to be made. Cr Holt was one of five councillors confirmed at Friday’s election...
By CHRIS EARL
A NEW team will lead Loddon Shire into what long-time councillor Gavan Holt has said will be an exciting time with challenges and tough decisions to be made.
Cr Holt was one of five councillors confirmed at Friday’s election declaration in Wedderburn.
For the second time in four years, 60 per cent of councillors will sit at the council table for the first time.
Laanecoorie’s Nick Angelo won Tarnagulla Ward at his second attempt, defeating Linda Jungwirth by 15 votes after preferences.
And in Inglewood Ward, Miki Wilson had a 107-vote margin after preferences over Wendy Murphy.
Cr Wilson and Cr Angelo thanked the two defeated councillors for their service during the poll declaration.
“I pledge to work for the whole shire,” Cr Wilson said while Cr Angelo said he welcomed the opportunity to represent communities in his ward.
The two, along with David Weaver who was elected unopposed in Boort Ward, will join 20-year veteran Cr Holt and Terrick Ward’s Dan Straub on council.
Cr Weaver said: “I am looking forward to working with every-one and for the people of the Boort Ward.
“I also acknowledge Neil Beattie who retired at the election after serving our communities for 19 years.”
Cr Holt told new councillors that they would be the most highly-scrutinised people in the shire.
He said councillors worked within government frameworks and regulations.
Cr Holt said there was also scrutiny of council and councillors from the press “and most of all, the people of Loddon”.
“We (Loddon Shire) are highly regarded by government in what we do ... and highly regarded in local government circles,” Cr Holt said. “I am proud of this place (council). It’s like a second home to me and that’s because of the people here.”
Cr Holt urged councillors to respect each other, management and staff. He said councillors made decisions based on policy “not off the cuff”.
“We have some big policy decisions to make in the next four years and I am confident we will make the right decisions,” he said.
Cr Straub said he expected a tremendous four years ahead for the shire with “tough decisions to make” that reflected the communities.
Major decisions expected to be on council’s agenda include the future of recreation spaces and swimming pools.
Chief executive officer Lincoln Fitzgerald told councillors it was important for Loddon to continue a respectful relationship with all levels of government.
“Local government is the third tier - we are created by the state that gives us a lot of direction on what we can do,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
Voter turnout for the postal election was similar to 2020 but informal votes increased this year. Ward boundary changes saw 118 votes shifted from Inglewood to Tarnagulla Ward however, with non-resident owners now required to opt-in for voting, ward enrolment numbers dropped by 600 people.