NORTHERN Grampians Shire Council has elected Councillor Murray Emerson as its new mayor following Monday's Council Statutory Meeting in Stawell.
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This will be Cr Emerson's second term as mayor, with the last term being in 2016.
Cr Emerson takes on the position from Cr Kevin Erwin, who served as mayor for the last 12 months and elected not to run again.
Cr Emerson, who represents the Stawell Ward of the shire, said he was honoured to take on the role and acknowledged he had big shoes to fill.
He said he looks forward to representing the council until the upcoming council elections in October 2020, and to working with the council's newly announced chief executive Liana Thompson.
Cr Emerson said at this stage he intends to run for election next year but elections were still a long way off.
"I suppose in 12 months that could quite easily change, but my intention would be to see re-election again," he said.
For now there was plenty to focus on in his new role.
"I will be focusing on leading the Northern Grampians Shire Council team into the future with an active focus on delivering on some of the projects that commenced during my last term as Mayor," Cr Emerson said.
"A major focus for us is to work with the new Chief Executive Officer to make the Northern Grampians Shire an even better place to live and work with sustainability a key factor for our shire."
Cr Emerson said community consultation, teamwork within council, and realistic goals will be essential hallmarks of his term as mayor.
"Together we can remain one of the leading creative shires in local government," he said. "Rates, roads, and rubbish are three of the main services that need our immediate attention."
Cr Erwin wished Cr Emerson well and said he was sure the new mayor will represent the council and the people of the Northern Grampians Shire with positivity and innovation.
"I wish Cr Emerson the very best in his mayoral appointment," he said.
"It can be a tough job but one that is very rewarding and I have every faith in Cr Emerson to carry on the good work of the council to date."
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