MOYNE Shire councillor Daniel Meade has thrown his hat in the ring to be the shire's next mayor, while Cr Mick Wolfe has ruled out re-contesting the role.
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Councillors are due to vote on the council's leadership at a mayoral election in Mortlake later this month.
Cr Meade, who has served on council for three years including the last year as deputy mayor, said he was "keen to take the next challenge".
"I've worked with Mick for the last year as a deputy and learned a lot. It has helped me realise some of the reasons I want to be mayor," he said.
"But I obviously understand the nature of how things work, and just because I'm putting my hand up doesn't mean I'm going to be successful."
Cr Meade said he believed the shire's process would be "clean" after a mayoral race at Warrnambool City Council turned bitter last week.
"I am confident whoever gets the role will be able to work with all councillors. I will accept the decision," he said.
Cr Wolfe has served two years as mayor and said he had enjoyed the role but found it "demanding".
"In that role you are front and centre, it can be rewarding or you can be a target," he said.
Cr Wolfe said Cr Meade had expressed his desire to be mayor "a couple of years ago" and was "capable" of the job.
Councillors Jordan Lockett and Jim Doukas said they would not contest the role and were unaware if other councillors planned to nominate. Cr Colin Ryan also said he would not contest the role, Cr Jill Parker declined to comment while Cr Ian Smith did not respond.
Cr Wolfe said the toughest decisions he had made on council were its stance on wind farms and the recent vote to declare a climate emergency.
The council is against further wind farm development in the shire until national wind farm commissioner recommendations are met, while separately it narrowly voted to declare a "climate emergency" last month.
"They're in conflict, but they could be on the same side," Cr Wolfe said of the decisions.
"Given the right location wind farms are a good project that will help battle climate change ... we have to look after our people today, and we (also) have to consider the environment from today."
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