Councillor Mitchell Nadin has been elected as the Bega Valley Shire’s new Deputy Mayor during the first council meeting since the 2024 local government elections.
Held in the Bega Council chambers, the meeting was used to discuss key governance matters, including the nomination and election of the Deputy Mayor.
After running for Mayor, Cr Mitchell Nadin, Cr Tony Allen and Cr Helen O’Neil all put their hand up to take over from outgoing Deputy and former Councillor Cathy Griff.
Councillors voted to appoint Cr Nadin as Deputy though, who will support Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick following his re-election as the civic leader.
It’s a hard luck story for the ALP’s O’Neil, who recieved the most primary votes in the recent local government Mayoral election but lost by just 36 votes to Fitzpatrick.
Mayor Fitzpatrick says he’s looking forward to working closely with the newly appointed Deputy.
“I proudly served as Deputy Mayor for two years and used the opportunity to learn more about what is required to lead and support the community through good times and bad,” Mayor Fitzpatrick said.
“Today’s meeting comes after an intensive and thorough induction process for new and re-elected Councillors that will enable us to hit the ground running and immediately enact positive change.”
In addition to selecting the Deputy Mayor, Councillors determined the schedule for ongoing Council meetings and appointed Councillor representatives to advisory and Section 355 committees.
“The Section 355 delegated authority committees play an important role in shaping policy, progress, and strategy, as community members, Council staff, business stakeholders, and Councillors come together to make key decisions.”
Councillors appointed to Section 355 committees are as follows:
Councillors appointed to Section 355 committees are:
· General Cemetery Advisory Committee: Delegate – Mayor Fitzpatrick
· Community Halls Advisory Committee: Delegate – Cr Daly. Alternates – Crs Mudaliar and Haggar
· General Sportsground Committee: Delegate – Cr Nadin. Alternate – Cr Noble
· Montreal Goldfields Committee – Delegate – Cr Mudaliar
· Bega Valley Shire Awards Committee: Delegates – Mayor Fitzpatrick, Cr Allen and Cr Daly
Advisory committees:
· Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee: Delegate – Cr Mudaliar. Alternates – Crs O’Neil and Haggar
· Affordable Housing Implementation Group: Delegate – Delegates – Crs O’Neil and Haggar. Alternate – Cr Nadin
· Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee: Delegates – Cr Daly and Cr O’Neil
· Bega Eden Merrimans Aboriginal Liaison Committee: Delegate – Mayor Fitzpatrick. Alternate – Cr Haggar
· Coast and Flood Management Committee: Delegates – Mayor Fitzpatrick and Cr O’Neil. Alternate – Cr Mudaliar
· Bega Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund: Delegates – Mayor Fitzpatrick and Cr Haggar. Alternate – Cr O’Neil
· Police Liaison Committee: Delegate – Mayor Fitzpatrick. Alternate – Cr Porter
· Central Waste Facility Community Consultative Committee: Delegate – Mayor Fitzpatrick. Alternate – Cr Nadin
· Bega Valley Museum Advisory Group: Delegate: Cr O’Neil
· Local Traffic Committee: Delegate – Cr Haggar. Alternate – Cr Porter
· Saleyards Advisory Group: Delegate – Cr Allen. Alternate – Cr O’Neil
“With Councillor representation on all committees, a Deputy Mayor in place and the dates and times set for ongoing Council meetings, we are now ready to proceed with our first ordinary Council meeting on 16 October 2024.
The meeting on the 16th will see the new Council deliberating on Council and community projects and proposals for the first time.
Mayor Fitzpatrick also acknowledged the complexity and importance of the electoral process.
“Elections are a time-consuming and complicated necessity essential for the democratic process. I would like to thank everyone involved in the process—from those who voted, to all candidates, whether elected or not, and the many Electoral Commission staff who assisted in delivering a smooth election across NSW.”
The schedule for ongoing Council meetings is on Council’s website.
Meantime the Eurobodalla Shire Council will vote on their Deputy Mayor to work alongside re-elected Mayor Mathew Hatcher next week.
Image: Bega Valley Shire Council
