Cr Garner Smith became the 11th councillor to serve as mayor for consecutive years after being elected unopposed.
He said his initial election was an enormous honour, and thanked his fellow councillors and executive team for assisting him in his role.
“I also thank the community for their support,” Cr Smith said.
“Whether I was at work, playing sport, at a shop, a community meeting or even at the pub, the people of Gannawarra have been a pleasure to deal with.”
In the coming year, Cr Smith said the council would focus on major electricity, renewable energy and mineral sands projects, the council’s finances, flood resilience, water buybacks and the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
He labelled the VNI West electricity transmission project, which the council formally opposed in May, as having the potential to change the face of the region.
“This is an issue that we need to understand and appreciate,” Cr Smith said.
“If these projects are to proceed, we need to ensure that any costs that are incurred are more than offset by benefits for individuals and our communities.”
The VHM Limited Mineral Sands Project at Goschen is expected to have a major impact on communities in the area, which Cr Smith said would have to be managed.
While the council has had productive talks with the project’s management, it is looking to ensure the benefits of the project far outweigh any disadvantages.
Cr Smith is also looking to be forthright about the “huge burden” the ESVF will place on primary producers when it is implemented at the end of this financial year.
Re-elected as deputy mayor for a second consecutive year, Cr Ross Stanton will support Cr Smith over the next 12 months.
“I thank my fellow councillors in re-electing me as deputy mayor, and look forward to supporting the mayor and council staff in making the Gannawarra a great place to live and work,” Cr Stanton said.
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