By Jessica Micallef
New Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson believes a united council can achieve great things for the shire.
Cr Jennifer Anderson was elected to the top job for a fourth time after councillors unanimously voted her in at a meeting last Monday.
Cr Anderson has previously served as mayor in 2014-15, 2016-17 and 2017-18.
The newly elected mayor said she was looking forward to the year ahead and working unitedly with the new council.
“Unity is very important, both amongst our councillors, with our staff and the community … I think united, the Macedon Ranges has already achieved an awful lot of things and we can continue to do that together,” she said.
“What we want to do is achieve things together.
“In the next four years, there is likely to be a lot more conflict of interests declared and this is not because councillors are trying to get out of debate.
“This is because there are more restrictions on what a councillor is allowed to be involved in and not involved in with decision-making.”
Cr Anderson said it was important for the Macedon Ranges community to work co-cooperatively with the council and council staff to achieve the best possible outcome for the region.
“We do have a lot of work to do, but we cannot do this without the assistance of the community out there so I encourage you to contact us, to talk to us, listen to our advice,” she said.
“We have a very busy year and four years ahead of us … [and] I’d like to thank you [councillors] all for putting your hand up and successfully running your campaigns.
“It’s a big step and big time commitment to put your hand up and assist the community and achieve what it wants to achieve.”
First-time councillor Mark Ridgeway was elected as deputy mayor.
