The status quo will remain in place with the leadership roles at Narrandera Shire Council remaining unchanged following last week’s mayor/deputy mayor election at the September meeting. The Local Government Act requires a mayor to be elected by councillors for a two-year term. At the start of the discussion, councillor Bob Manning asked if the length of the mayoral role could be reduced. “Is there any chance of a one-year term with a review so we can see how things are progressing?” he said. However, the general manager Ian Coote said it was “stipulated as a regulation” that council had no influence on the length of the term. Three councillors nominated for the mayor’s position – councillor Neville Kschenka, Cr Bob Manning and Cr Cameron Lander. Cr Kschenka will continue his role as mayor for the two-year term following an open ballot voting system by a show of hands, which was chosen to allow Cr Cameron Rouse to vote from an audio/visual link. Cr Kschenka (five votes) won the vote from Cr Lander who garnered four votes. Cr Lander had thrown his hat into the ring by nominating for both the mayor and deputy mayor roles, but failed to attract enough support in his bid to fill either of those positions. The three-way tussle for the deputy mayor position featured Cr Sue Ruffles, Cr Jenny Clarke and Cr Lander, who had all nominated for the position. Cr Lander attracted just two votes (one from himself) and Cr Ruffles gained five votes to retain her role as the deputy mayor for another two-year term. Following his re-election, Cr Kschenka was honoured to continue his role as mayor. “I thank the councillors and the people out there who have supported me over the past seven years,” he said. “We’re a good team, we’re all independent, not members of a party, so we make our own decisions. “I’m very proud of the progress that we’ve made in recent years in industry and housing and roads. “Our roads aren’t perfect, but they’re a lot better than some. “We have more to do and I look forward to the next term.” Cr Neville Kschenka was re-elected as mayor, while Cr Sue Ruffles was re-elected as deputy mayor. Cr Kschenka has served as mayor since 2016, while Cr Ruffles has served as deputy mayor since 2023. Both will continue to work with councillors and council staff to represent the Narrandera Shire community and support the delivery of council’s priorities over the next two years.
