Stretch Kontelj elected new Geelong mayor, Nelson deputy

Geelong’s new mayor has revealed his priorities for the city.

New mayor Stretch Kontelj and his deputy Ron Nelson

Geelong’s new mayor has channelled incoming US president Donald Trump in his maiden speech, vowing to “make our CBD great again”.

Stretch Kontelj was voted in as Geelong’s mayor as the new council cohort met for the first time on Tuesday night.

He was nominated by outgoing mayor Trent Sullivan and secured the post unopposed.

Fellow former Liberal candidate Ron Nelson will serve as his deputy, also running unopposed after being nominated by his outgoing predecessor Anthony Aitken.

Addressing the gallery upon his election, Mr Kontelj said he would deliver on his promise to revitalise Geelong’s city centre.

Stretch Kontelj is Geelong’s new mayor.

“Let’s make our CBD great again,” he said.

“I remember late in 1998 when it was called the Sleepy Hollow.

“Frank Costa always said Geelong was Australia’s best kept secret, (Geelong) is not Australia’s fastest growing city, but it’s got its challenges.”

A pledge was also made by Mr Kontelj to stick to his campaign slogan.

“One message was very clear to me,” he said.

“People want council to go back to basics.

“They want council to really focus on delivering the core basic services the city is known for, the roads, the curbs and drains.

“It’s not the most sexy of topics, but it’s what keeps the city together.”

Mr Kontelj thanked his family, some of whom were in the larger-than-usual crowd.

There was also a contingent of Socialist Alliance members, including former councillor Sarah Hathway and Hamlyn Heights candidate Angela Carr.

Barrabool Hills ward Geelong councillor Ron Nelson will serve as deputy.

At one point, Mr Kontelj spoke of his parents’ escape from the “scourge of socialism” in Yugoslavia

This remark riled some.

“They made their way across Italy in the cover of darkness,” Mr Kontelj said.

“If they got caught the best they could hope for was a long jail sentence, the worst they could hope for would be to get shot.

“My father did serve jail time, so I take this story very seriously.”

Former Geelong mayor John Mitchell was in the crowd.

Mr Kontelj was first elected to the City of Greater Geelong council in 1998, serving for 17 years when he resigned due to an overseas work posting and just before the imploding of the Darren Lyons-led council was unceremoniously sacked by the state government.

He served as mayor for a 13-month stint in the early 2000s.

Mr Nelson briefly addressed the gallery and the new councillor group, all of whom were in attendance.

EARLIER: Geelong mayoral race ‘extremely fluid’ ahead of vote

It could be back to the future at City Hall as a mayor from more than 20 years ago confirms he’ll put his hand up for the top job.

Geelong’s new 11-member council will hold its first meeting on Tuesday evening, with the election of a mayor and deputy mayor the key items of business.

Both positions come with a two-year term and an allowance of $134,954 and $67,477 respectively.

Kardinia ward councillor Stretch Kontelj was the only confirmed contender for mayor as of Monday afternoon, although it is unclear whether he has the majority support required.

In what one City Hall source described as an “extremely fluid” situation, a challenger might yet come forward, while Mr Kontelj could abandon his bid at the last minute if he thinks it will fail.

Former mayor Trent Sullivan said he would not nominate despite saying in August he would run again if re-elected.

Mr Sullivan, one of four vice presidents of the Victorian Liberal Party, said he wanted to balance his role as Leopold ward councillor with building a career in the private sector.

But multiple City Hall sources said a group of Liberal-aligned councillors, led by Mr Kontelj, made it clear to the 32-year-old that he didn’t have the numbers.

Former mayor Trent Sullivan won’t be seeking a leadership position on council. Picture: Alan Barber.

Mr Kontelj, 63, said his pitch to colleagues had been “well received”.

“I’ve had encouraging feedback, so to that extent I’m encouraged I’ve got support,” he said.

“But you just don’t know who else might have aspirations and how the group’s feeling on what they need.

“I’ll make my case as to why I think I am the right person and we’ll see how it works out.”

Some councillors are believed to have concerns about Mr Kontelj’s 17-year history at City Hall that included a 12-month stint as mayor in 2001.

He was a close ally of former mayor Darryn Lyons, whom he served on council with for three years.

Mr Kontelj, his brother and fellow councillor Eddy, and Ron Nelson each wore ties featuring a city crest that was co-designed by Mr Lyons at last week’s swearing-in ceremony.

Stretch Kontelj after being elected Geelong mayor in 2001.

Mr Kontelj resigned in July 2015 to take an overseas work posting, nine months before the Lyons-led council was sacked after a Commission of Inquiry found it “dysfunctional”.

Mr Kontelj dismissed concerns that his long-standing Liberal ties would hinder City Hall’s relationship with the state and federal Labor governments.

“As long as we’re all focused on doing what’s in the best interests of Geelong, I don’t foresee any relationship issues,” he said.

State government-appointed monitors Peter Dorling and Mark Davies will continue to keep a close eye on the happenings at City Hall until at least the end of this year.

“Unsurprising the monitors’ key recommendation was that the monitors be immediately reinstated,” Mr Kontelj wrote on Facebook upon the pair’s appointment in April.

Meanwhile, former Geelong and Surf Coast council executive Robyn Stevens has abruptly resigned as chief executive of Shoalhaven City Council in NSW.

Just 10 months into the role, Ms Stevens could reportedly be in line for a payout just shy of$300,000.

Robyn Stevens.

Some Shoalhaven councillors were shocked when Mayor Patricia White announced the resignation at their November meeting.

“Ms Stevens has shown incredible leadership and drive for the organisation, and we wish her all the best for the future,” she said.

Originally published as Stretch Kontelj elected new Geelong mayor, Nelson deputy