Upper Hunter Shire Council has elected a Mayor and Deputy Mayor to lead the organisation for the next two years.
Councillor Maurice Collison (pictured, left) was re-elected as Mayor, with Councillor Pat Ryan (pictured, right) elected as Deputy Mayor. Both will serve in their respective roles until September 2026.
Reflecting on his re-election, Mayor Collison said, “I’m honoured by the trust placed in me to return as Mayor, and I look forward to continuing the important work we’ve started.
“Working together with all Councillors, I’m confident we can deliver the best outcomes for our community. The strength of Council lies in our shared commitment to collaboration and the future of the Upper Hunter.”
During the meeting, Council also made important decisions on two agenda items:
Countback of Votes to Fill Casual Vacancies
Council resolved to adopt the countback of votes method to fill any casual vacancies occurring within the first 18 months after the 2024 Local Government Elections. This decision will save the community the cost of conducting by-elections and allow for a more efficient process in the event of any vacancies, the Council said in a statement.
Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee
Council appointed Councillor Adam Williamson as the non-voting Councillor member to the Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee for the four-year Council term.
This decision ensures the inclusion of a Councillor’s perspective while maintaining independent oversight of Council’s governance, risk management, and performance improvement functions, the Council said.
