Updated, 5pm.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Moyne Shire has elected councillor Ian Smith as its new mayor, trying to leave a week of infighting and turmoil behind.
Cr Smith, who hadn't been a candidate in last Tuesday's vote, won four votes to three against Cr Jordan Lockett in a surprise result.
His nomination and election pointed to the shire's urgent need to find a mayoral candidate who could garner a majority of votes.
"After last week's vote we knew something had to be done to break the deadlock," the new mayor said.
The mayoral race had previously been between Crs Lockett and Damian Gleeson, but Cr Gleeson sacrificed his own candidacy to nominate Cr Smith.
In the vote, Cr Smith received the support of Crs Meade and Gleeson, as well as the crucial swing vote of Cr Jim Doukas, who had vowed not to vote for either Cr Gleeson or Lockett.
Crs Karen Foster and James Purcell voted for Cr Lockett.
Prior to the nominations Cr Doukas clarified his right not to vote at all, asking Moyne chief executive officer Bill Millard "how (he) should go about that.
"Councillor Doukas, if you don't wish to vote for a candidate I imagine you don't vote," Mr Millard replied.
Cr Smith's elevation to mayor shocked everyone present, including Cr Smith himself, who told The Standard just last week he was "definitely not standing".
He said after the vote he had never had any ambition to be mayor.
"I've always been more than happy being a councillor."
But he said he was content to step in and paid tribute to the outgoing mayor, who was elected unopposed as Cr Smith's deputy.
"Daniel Meade is going to be a hard act to follow, but I'm going to do my darndest for the people of Moyne."
With the position of mayor settled, the council will aim to move on with its agenda for the coming year.
Cr Smith said the priority would be COVID recovery.
"COVID has hit everyone hard across the shire," he said.
"I feel we've done very well, but businesses still have a big recovery ahead of them."
He said the council would be working to assist small businesses like hospitality to access federal and state funding like the outdoor dining package.
The other challenge was improving Moyne's chronically dilapidated road network.
"I'm from the northern part of the shire, so road issues are always a priority," Cr Smith said.
"I'm excited to work with all the councillors over the coming year."
Earlier:
Moyne Shire Council has put a week of turmoil behind it, electing councillor Ian Smith as its mayor in a surprise vote.
Outgoing mayor Cr Daniel Meade was elected deputy mayor unopposed.
Cr Smith was elected four votes to three against Cr Jordan Lockett after a nominations process that turned the race on its head.
Cr Karen Foster nominated Cr Lockett, as she had in last week's election, but Cr Gleeson then nominated Cr Smith, reversing Cr Smith's nomination of Cr Gleeson in the previous vote.
Cr Jim Doukas nominated Cr James Purcell, but Cr Purcell withdrew his candidacy to let Crs Smith and Lockett fight out the vote head to head.
Crs Foster, Lockett and Purcell then voted for Cr Lockett, but Crs Meade, Gleeson, Smith and Doukas voted for Cr Smith, giving him an absolute majority.
Cr Smith said he was surprised and honoured to become mayor of Moyne Shire.
"After last week's vote we knew something had to be done to break the deadlock," he said.
"Daniel Meade is going to be a hard act to follow, but I'm going to do my darndest for the people of Moyne."