Labor councillor Mark Greenhill was elected for a third term as mayor of the Blue Mountains at an extraordinary council meeting last night (December 23).
The Ward 4 councillor was elected unopposed for the position with Ward 2 Labor Cr Romola Hollywood elected as his deputy mayor, also unopposed.
New Ward 1 Greens Cr Sarah Redshaw and Ward 4 Liberal Cr Brendan Christie were confirmed in the positions of alternate deputy mayors (with the entitlement to the title deputy mayor).
The vote will see Cr Greenhill hit a record of 10 consecutive years as Blue Mountains mayor this council term.
The re-elected mayor said this "leadership team represents a bringing together of all the different political groups on the council".
"While we will have philosophical differences from time to time, we are united in the cause of doing the best job we can as a council for the people of the Blue Mountains.
"I am so proud deputy mayor Hollywood will be second in charge... Romola and I have a shared vision which is about protecting our environment and keeping overdevelopment out of the Blue Mountains.
"We are also determined to see more kerbing, guttering, footpaths and infrastructure. We will be pressing for major improvements in the waste area. Weekly organic greens bins, double recycling capacity for households, expanded free green waste pick ups, free tip passes and a range of other measures."
The mayor said they would also fight "to keep our community safe from COVID-19 and the ever-present threat of bushfires".
Cr Hollywood described becoming deputy mayor as a "huge honour" and said she looked forward to "working collaboratively with our council and community to deliver better services and infrastructure".
"We have a large and important agenda to get in place in this term. I want to send a clear message that the shortened nature of this council term will not diminish our determination to deliver on the mandate we were handed in December 4."
Mayor Greenhill signalled that the elevation of Crs Redshaw and Christie to the positions of alternate deputy mayors showed the new council was seeking unity.
"They represent different political backgrounds but both have a mixture of experience that will benefit the council. Their election creates a strong foundation for a unified council that is focused on delivering for the community," he said.
The three Liberal councillors - Kevin Schreiber, Roza Sage and Brendan Christie - abstained from voting on the procedural motions to confirm the nomination process for the mayor and deputy mayor positions.
The council meeting was held online due to COVID-19.
Five new councillors joined the council - Claire West (Labor), Susie van Opdorp (Labor), Nyree Fisher (Labor), Roza Sage (Liberal) and Sarah Redshaw (Greens). Councillors Mark Greenhill (Labor), Romola Hollywood (Labor) Brent Hoare (Greens), Mick Fell (Labor), Daniel Myles (Independent) and Kevin Schreiber (Liberal) have returned to serve another term.
Blue Mountains City Council CEO Dr Rosemary Dillon congratulated the councillors on their new term and the mayor for his third term in the position, and 17 years and eight months of service to the council.
