Council
20 November, 2024
Makin' it a double
LAKE Elingamite Ward councillor Kate Makin was elected to serve a second consecutive term as Corangamite Shire’s mayor during a contentious meeting last week.
Leura Ward councillor Laurie Hickey was re-elected deputy mayor for the same one-year period despite calls for the role to be scrapped.
In a case of Déjà vu, Cr Makin and Cr Geraldine Conheady were both nominated for the role this year, with Cr Makin securing the role four votes to three votes.
Cr Makin thanked her fellow Councillors for having confidence in her ability to lead for the next 12 months.
“In the year ahead, we have significant opportunities to build on the momentum we’ve created,” she said.
“We are entering a period where our decisions will be pivotal in shaping Corangamite Shire for future generations.
“Whether it’s enhancing infrastructure, supporting our agricultural backbone, or further promoting tourism, I am committed to steering our council with the experience, stability, and vision needed to make impactful, sustainable progress.”
Cr Makin said her approach has always been “grounded in accessibility, transparency, and accountability”.
“I’ve made it a priority to be available to our community, listening to their concerns, and ensuring that their voices are heard within these walls,” she said.
“This is a commitment I renew wholeheartedly today.
“To my fellow councillors, I humbly ask for your support to continue as mayor for the coming year.
“Together, we have the potential to drive our shared vision forward with the same unity, dedication, and passion that have brought us this far.
“Let’s build on our achievements, tackle the challenges ahead, and lead Corangamite into a future we can all be proud of.”
The election of the deputy mayor, was slightly chaotic, with Cr Hickey securing the spot before council went backwards to deal with Cr Ruth Gstrein, while nominating Cr Conheady for the role of deputy mayor saying she wanted to “foreshadow a motion that if we don’t elect a deputy mayor at this point that we resolve that we do not appoint a deputy mayor”.
Cr Conheady did not accept the nomination, meaning the single accepted nomination of Cr Hickey would fulfil the role.
However, amidst some confusion, councillors then went on to debate the motion of whether to have a deputy mayor at all.
“This certainly doesn’t reflect upon Cr Hickey’s performance as deputy mayor in the past 12 months or Cr Conheady’s in the year’s leading up to that,” Cr Gstrein said.
“There is a small renumeration – I think it’s about $15,000 – I think that money could be better used for other projects.”
Cr Jo Beard agreed and said she had concerns with the position being paid.
“It’s only the last two years that there’s been a renumeration and I think that it’s skewed the lines so to speak.
“It makes an unfair playing field between us as councillors.”
Cr Beard said there was “no real need” for the deputy mayor position knowing there’s “capable councillors that can step up” when needed.
Despite spending time in the role as a deputy mayor, Cr Conheady said she believes the “role really isn’t essential”.
“I served in the role for two terms when Cr Gstrein was mayor and I know the duties don’t justify the renumeration and that renumeration was actually introduced when I was in my first term,” she said.
“The other part is we’ve got an opportunity here to use that $15,000 for our community for our ratepayers; I’m sure there is something that can do with that money that is much more effective.”
Cr Hickey disputed the previous councillor’s points and said part of the role was effectively being on call 24 hours a day.
“I think the renumeration of the deputy mayor is really not a significant factor when we look at the total wages bill of the entire Corangamite Shire,” he said.
“You’re paid to be pretty much on call the entire time so that in the event of the mayor being unable to accept an invitation there’s very short notice that you are meant to be there.”
The motion was defeated four votes to three with Cr Hickey officially taking the mantle for another year.
He said it was an honour to be elected as a deputy mayor.
“After a year serving previously as deputy I have realised the role is more than stepping up when the mayor is unavailable,” Cr Hickey said.
“I’m here to support the mayor and support my fellow councillors so that the community will be better served over the next 12 months.”
Shire chief executive officer David Rae congratulated Cr Makin and Cr Hickey on their election.
“I’m looking forward to working with them over and the councillor group over the next year and the new four-year term,” he said.
The next scheduled Ordinary Meeting of Council will be on Tuesday, November 26, at the Killara Centre in Camperdown, and will be live streamed on council’s website and Facebook page.
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