Council set for ‘final’ appointment of mayor

Kim Waters
GEELONG’S final council-elected mayor will be revealed on Monday night, according to a State Government spokesperson.
The spokesperson for Premier-elect Ted Baillieu said implementation of a coalition pre-election promise of popularly-elected Geelong mayors would begin after Monday’s vote between councillors.
The new State Government would begin a community consultation process in 2011 to establish the process for Geelong residents to choose their own mayor.
“The electors will be the community,” the spokesperson said.
“It’s a process we’re completely committed to.”
The spokesperson said next week’s mayor would have a maximum term of one year rather than the two years available under existing regulations.
“We don’t have legislation in place yet but there will be a term limit. It is understood that the State Government will limit the term of the new Geelong mayor to one year and consult with the Geelong community within that 12-month period.”
Councillor Andy Richards said the existing system and a popularly elected process both had merit.
“Let’s see what the State Government puts on the table,” Cr Richards said.
“There are plusses and minuses with both the current system and a popularly elected mayor.”