Bega Valley Shire’s newly-elected Council has convened for the first time this week following the 2024 NSW local government elections.
Held in the Council chambers, the meeting was used to discuss key governance matters, including the nomination and election of the Deputy Mayor.
Councillors voted to appoint Councillor Mitchell Nadin (pictured, left) as Deputy Mayor, who will support Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick (pictured, right) following his re-election as the civic leader.
Mayor Fitzpatrick said he was looking forward to working closely with the new Deputy Mayor.
“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.
Councillors appointed to Section 355 committees are as follows:
- 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 Mayor said.
“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,” he said.
