DEPUTY MAYOR: 28 FEBRUARY 2017

Cr Kevin Walker elected unopposed as Cabonne Deputy Mayor

Cr Kevin Walker has been elected unopposed as the new Deputy Mayor of Cabonne Council after Cr Lachie MacSmith stepped down from the position.

Cr MacSmith will continue to serve as a councillor, but resigned as the Deputy Mayor after four-and-a-half years in the role because of work commitments and time constraints.

Cr Walker was the only nominee, negating the need for a ballot.

He said it was a great honour and he promised to work as hard as possible for ratepayers and residents.

The Canowindra-based councillor thanked his fellow councillors for their support, saying he had big shoes to fill.

Mayor Ian Gosper said Cr MacSmith had done a magnificent job representing the people of Cabonne over the past four-and-a-half years and would be sorely missed.

“I don’t think people fully realise the amount of work councillors and staff have done in the past few years and don’t understand the demands placed on someone in the Deputy Mayor’s position,” he said.

Cr MacSmith said while he would like to continue in the role, he no longer had the time to perform the duties to the extent that he believed they should be.

“This is a decision I have made after long consideration. To continue would not be fair to our ratepayers,” he said.

“I am certain Cr Walker will make an outstanding Deputy Mayor.”

Cr MacSmith said the current council term had been a challenging and difficult one, but he was proud of what had been achieved, particularly record spending on roads and bridges and other infrastructure.

“While Cabonne has escaped amalgamation and can now plot an exciting future, the possibility of boundary adjustments could mean further challenging times ahead of us,” he said.

“I would like to thank my fellow councillors for their support during my time as Deputy Mayor, particularly Crs Gosper and Hayes – the two Mayors I have had the honour of serving in that time.

“However, my biggest thanks goes to my wife and family who have had to take on a much greater workload during my time on Council, particularly the past four-and-a-half years.”

Based on media release issued by Cabonne Council.