Councillor Jade Benham has been elected as Mayor of Swan Hill Rural City Council following today’s Statutory Council Meeting.
It will be Cr Benham’s (pictured, centre) first term as Mayor, following her recent term as Deputy Mayor.
Cr Benham was elected to Council in 2019, following a bi-election and reelected in 2020.
Councillors elected Cr Moar as Deputy Mayor.
In Cr Benham’s acceptance speech she acknowledged her family for their support, the work of departing Mayor, Cr Bill Moar and her fellow Councillors, for electing her as Mayor.
“I’d like to thank my fellow Councilors for electing me as Mayor and I look forward to working with them, the community and Council staff for the next 12 months,” Cr Benham said.
“I’d also like to congratulate Cr Moar on their election as Deputy Mayor.
Cr Benham is passionate about the region and recognises the importance of smaller communities throughout the municipality.
“I want to see our communities not just survive, but thrive once again.
“I believe it’s time for some very significant future planning, and not just in terms of regional development, but in development of our infrastructure and housing so we are able to keep feeding the world,” she said.
Cr Benham said she looked forward to leading the municipality and had many plans in the pipeline for 2022.
“Together with Council, I look forward to moving ahead with the many exciting projects, while also ensuring Council’s core business of providing services and facilities to our community continues.”
“It will be a great privilege to continue Cr Moar’s important work in supporting residents in our municipality to continue to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic – as we begin to see our region thriving once again,” Cr Benham said.