By JESSE GRAHAM
THE Yarra Ranges has a new mayor for the coming year after Billanook Ward councillor Maria McCarthy scraped in by a single vote.
Meanwhile, the other mayoral nominee has criticised a lack of representation in the Dandenongs and said the hills wards had been without a mayor for 15 years.
Cr McCarthy was elected at a special Yarra Ranges Council meeting on 2 December, winning with five votes against Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff.
Both of the mayoral nominees made their case to other councillors and to about 20 people watching on in the public gallery.
Cr McCarthy said her work under former mayor Fiona McAllister in the last year – which included a stint as acting mayor – had prepared her for the top job.
“I’ve worked with Cr McAllister for the last 12 months as her deputy mayor and have learnt a lot through her guidance,” she said.
“Through that, I feel I am well-placed and suited to represent Yarra Ranges Council as the mayor.”
Meanwhile, Cr Cliff said that wards across the Dandenong Ranges had not been represented in the mayoral role since 1999.
“Why is it that we never see a mayor over this side of the mountain?” Cr Cliff asked.
While he said that each of the nine councillors was “more than capable” of being mayor, he argued that he had experience in the community over his years at the council.
“As far as dealing with the community, I’ve worn my spurs in well and truly,” he said.
But Cr McCarthy came out the victor and was voted in by councillors Jason Callanan, Fiona McAllister, Andy Witlox, and Jim Child, along with her own vote.
Cr Cliff was supported by councillors Terry Avery, Len Cox and Samantha Dunn, as well as his own vote.
Following the vote, Cr Callanan was elected unopposed as the deputy mayor.
Cr McCarthy, in her first address, said the previous mayor had left big shoes to fill, and thanked Cr McAllister for her work across the shire in the past year.
“Fiona, you have been an inspiration to all women,” she said.
“You have showed that having a baby as a councillor is achievable – having a second baby as mayor showed the community your spirit and dedication to your role as mayor.”
She said she would be taking on the role full-time and that her first concern was working with and advocating for the wider Yarra Ranges community.
Cr Callanan said that he would offer the new mayor support, guidance, and a different point of view when needed.
He said that he would continue working as a paramedic during his time as deputy, but that he had more time available to dedicate to the job.
For Cr Callanan, one of the biggest issues to focus on would be roads, and both the mayor and the deputy said they would work through a potential cap on rates enforced by the new Labor Government.
The members of the public gallery were almost entirely friends and family gathered to support Cr McCarthy, with Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe making an appearance to support the new mayor.
A Yarra Ranges Council spokesperson said that two Dandenong Ranges councillors had served as mayor during the past 15 years.
Chandler Ward councillor Alan Fincher had served as mayor in 2003 and Lyster Ward councillor Robyn Hale was mayor in 2000.
