THE decision of who will lead the Gunnedah shire for the next two years will be made at today’s Gunnedah Shire Council meeting.
Councillors will nominate and vote on a mayor and deputy mayor during the meeting as part of the council’s bi-annual mayoral elections.
At this stage current mayor Jamie Chaffey and councillor Colleen Fuller have announced they will be throwing their hat in the ring for the top job but other contenders may emerge at today’s meeting.
“I hope to carry on the good work accomplished by this council in its first two years,” Cr Chaffey said.
“There’s still a lot to do.
“Hopefully I will have the support of my fellow councillors and we can continue the good work into the second half of this council’s term between 2018 and 2020.”
Cr Fuller said if elected, she would bring “fresh ideas” to the role.
“I am putting my hand up because I have several ideas and want to do my best for the shire,” Cr Fuller said.
“I hope to see change but I don’t want to take anything away from the hard work done by our council over the last two years.
“Our council has achieved a lot in its first term, and if elected I will work very hard to ensure that good work continues.”
Read Also:
Wednesday’s meeting will see a new deputy mayor elected after Gae Swain announced she would be stepping down from the role.
Cr Swain highlighted more time with family as a key motivator behind the decision.
“I think it’s good to give others a go,” she said.
“Stepping back will also hopefully give me a bit more time with my family who have been very supportive of me throughout my tenure with the council and I think its time to let someone else have a go.”
Following the elections, councillors will re-visit the council’s voluntary planning agreement (VPA) policy which has been discussed at the council’s June and August meetings.
Discussion surrounding the policy could be re-opened after councillor Owen Hasler moved a rescinded motion, urging the council to reverse the decision from last month’s meeting.
Councillors decided at the August meeting not to allow councillors to participate in negotiations surrounding voluntary planning agreements on the basis that it could lead to a potential conflict of interest.
Today’s meeting will begin at the council chambers from 4.30pm with the elections to lead off proceedings.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
