Bill McClenaghan
Daylesford waste and property management contractor Bill McClenaghan is Hepburn Shire’s new mayor.
Cr McClenaghan was unanimously voted into the role by councillors at a statutory meeting at Glenlyon Hall on Wednesday night.
Creswick Ward councillor Don Henderson was appointed deputy mayor and all seven councillors-elect were sworn into their roles.
Cr McClenaghan joined the council in 2005 and is the most experienced of the current members, having previously served as mayor in 2008.
He said the council had undergone a significant turnover, with three new councillors joining the ranks, and it was felt an experienced person was needed in the mayoral role.
“I had the support of my colleagues and I certainly didn’t want to let them down,” Cr McClenaghan said.
“We have the new council plan to do and the councillor conduct to set in motion. We also face a number of challenges, both local and state-wide challenges.
“We have dissent with the Daylesford Streetscape and we have issues with the Clunes tennis courts.
“Where are we going to find the money to pay our superannuation liability, fix roads and maintain services?”
He said the deputy mayor, Cr Henderson, was also experienced in working closely with the community.