Long-standing Cr Ruth Gstrein was re-elected mayor and 2020 inductee Cr Geraldine Conheady deputy mayor this week.

For both leaders, roads and infrastructure will continue to be the focus of advocacy.

"While there haven't been the same number of tourists here, they are still feeder roads for our community," Cr Gstrein said.

"Also the availability of housing is an issue... people are moving here form the cities and available land is scarce."

The council advocated for years for funding for the Port Campbell town centre upgrade, which will begin post-Easter.

"We want to get as much work done over the winter season, it's going to take a couple of years," Cr Gstrein said.

"We would have loved to start works two years ago if we had a crystal ball, but you deal with the cards your dealt.

"We will work with traders to ensure interruption to business is as minimal as possible."

Cr Gstrein is looking forward to putting together a list of priorities, with a state and federal election to be held in 2022. Those include $310 million for upgrades of the dairy supply chain and $3 million for stage two of the Camperdown Theatre complex development.

Things have certainly changed on council since being elected 19 years ago.

"It's a very different council in the way it operates to how it did in 2002," Cr Gstrein said with a laugh.

"We had 10 councillors - two in each ward - and it was very ward focused.

"Now we have a more shire-wide focus and work well together. It's not about the person as mayor it's about the team.

"I love local government because it feels like we really get things done, it's heartwarming to make a difference and help everyday people with the big issues in their life."

Cr Geraldine Conheady was first elected to council in a by-election in 2020.

She says there will be a lot to learn in the next 12 months as deputy mayor.

"I'm quite excited," Cr Conheady said. "My role as deputy is one of support to our mayor, and I'll be there ready to support Ruth where needed and to step into her shoes where necessary.

"We've talked a lot about the COVID-19 recovery and we've seen some suffering that's for sure, especially in hospitality and tourism.

"As for agriculture it's probably been quite lucky through the period, we haven't had an upset in businesses so much, the issue we have is just finding staff.

"That is going to be an issue for the shire and is probably going to be exacerbated over the next 12 months

"We need borders to be open so more people travel and be employed in the agricultural sector. It's a pressing issue particularly in the dairy industry.

"Backpackers are a godsend as there's quite a lot of seasonal work and they're perfect for seasonal roles. We definitely need the holiday visa workers."

She looks forward to campaigning for roads and supply chains.

"We need to keep that focus there so the state government doesn't overlook the needs in this part of the state."

Ms Conheady has lived in Noorat for 37 years where she has raised her family and operated a dairy and beef business with husband, Edward and four of her sons.

She is heartened by investments into large-scale dairy manufacturing - including baby formula for the South East Asia market.

"I'm really excited we have got that kind of investment in Corangamite," Cr Conheady said.

"There are investors that can see the opportunities that we have here, building on the dairy industry something that's important to me and the council.

"Our experience through COVID has indicated agriculture is really holding us all up so to have that sort of diversification and further investment in our dairy industry for an offshoot to the sale of milk, having a product coming out of the shire, could be very important."

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