Another Terms Follows a Year of Learning
A North East deputy mayor has been re-elected unopposed for another year.
At Indigo Shire Council's monthly meeting, councillors voted unanimously to re-elect Jane Dowsley to the position for a one-year term.
Following the deputy mayoral decision at a statutory council meeting, councillors at a second scheduled meeting moved to approve a council recommendation to call for expressions of interest to manage Yackandandah's caravan park.
Earlier, no mayoral vote was cast as Sophie Price's position last year gained a two-year term.
Roberta Horne nominated Cr Dowsley for the deputy's position, a move seconded by John Harvey.
After the vote, Cr Dowsley told the chamber her past year as deputy had been one of "learning and growth" and challenges.
"We've continued our advocacy for a new hospital on a new site, amid emerging issues such as new state government taxes directly impacting our rate payers, we've also had some fantastic wins with funding announcements," Cr Dowsley said.
"Representing Indigo Shire at the national general assembly and the region's rising summits has allowed me to deepen my understanding of regional leadership, emerging policy directions and the vital role small rural councils play in national conversations.
"These experiences have broadened my perspective and sharpened my commitment to serving our community.
"The decisions of council are never made lightly, and we don't always agree, but we've worked together collaboratively and respectfully throughout."
Councillors then discussed a proposal to call for expressions of interest from potential operators to undertake a 21-year lease for Yackandandah's caravan park.
The council's executive recommendation was for the lessee to be required to invest into developing the park in line with the adopted master plan.
Councillor Diane Shepheard, speaking to the motion, said it was vital that whoever won the lease improve the financial situation of the park.
"This is our third caravan park lease, and I think the thing we've got to remember is the reason we're doing this is we want to make them more financially viable as well, of course, of them being the great tourism assets that they already are," Cr Shepheard said.
"So we're expecting council and the lessee to put money into capital investment above and beyond what we have been doing to date, and we will expect a percentage of that revenue to come back to council.
"If we can get all our caravan parks working to capacity and attracting tourists ... we then have greater revenue; I think that will be good for us and the community and the caravan parks."
Cr Horne said she wanted to acknowledge the existing managers of the park who had gained long-term community support.
"Their work over many years has helped make the park the welcoming place it is today, and this needs to be recognised and respected," Cr Horne said.
"Going forward, we have a responsibility to manage this Crown land asset in the long term interests of the whole community.
"We now have a master plan in place, and the fairest way forward is an open, transparent expression of interest process where anyone with the right experience can put their best case forward.
"The future operator, whoever that is, will be chosen on clear criteria around park management, investment, safety and alignment with the master plan."
The motion was supported unanimously.