So the election of councillors to represent the community over the next four years has passed.
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We have new team of nine councillors and the people of Goulburn Mulwaree live in hope that those councillors will take on their role as the voice of the people who voted for them.
Their new position is not, and should never be, a role for leveraging personal opportunity or power.
Yet the very first decision these councillors have to make is one that could easily become caught up in a game of politicking and power play: the election of the mayor.
Several regional (Group 4) local government areas, such as the Shoalhaven City and Eurobodalla Shire councils, have a popularly elected mayor.
It is a position voted on by the community as part of the local government election.
The successful candidate is voted into the position by the people and serves a four-year term in the leadership role.
However, in Goulburn Mulwaree, the decision on who will lead the team of nine councillors is determined by the councillors themselves with the successful candidate chosen to fill the position for a much shorter term of one year. And, as recent history has shown, there is little incentive to cycle a roster of mayors on a yearly basis.
The decision on who will become mayor of Goulburn Mulwaree Shire, and their deputy, will be formalised at the first meeting of the new council line-up on October 4.
Ideally, the final outcome should reflect the preferences of the people in the community.
After all, the role of councillor is a role of community representation.
The role of mayor is to guide those elected representives in meeting process and stand up as the figurehead for not only the councillors, but every resident in Goulburn Mulwaree.
There is every chance that deals are already being done to lobby for votes and those top positions.
The best the community can hope for is that such lobbying will take into consideration the needs and wants of the people they represent.
But above all let’s hope they choose a mayor who understands council and meeting procedures to lead the group effectively and efficiently.
And let’s hope they consider it a chance to address the political gender imbalance.
A job for the boys? A job for the girls, too.