Golden Plains Shire councillors to vote in new mayor following resignation of Sarah Hayden

Two Golden Plains councillors have confirmed their candidacy for the vacant mayoral position, while another is keeping his cards close to his chest.

Golden Plains Shire councillors following their swearing in late last year. From left to right, Brett Cunningham, Sarah Hayden, Lachlan Glen, Helena Kirby, Emma Robbins, Des Phelan and Owen Sharkey. Mr Cunningham and Mr Glen have since resigned. Picture: Supplied.

A pair of Golden Plains councillors vying to become mayor are positioning themselves as best placed to bring stability to the shire following multiple resignations and community unrest just six months into the current four-year term.

Owen Sharkey and Helena Kirby confirmed their nomination ahead of the Tuesday vote, while the Greens’ Gavin Gamble would “neither confirm nor deny” his candidacy.

All three are former mayors of the shire and Ms Kirby has been acting in the role for the past month after Sarah Hayden took leave following reports she had been working remotely while on holiday in Las Vegas – something sanctioned by shire executives.

Ms Hayden resigned as mayor last week, saying the decision was made “to provide our shire with stability and to support a return to core business”.

Emma Robbins and Des Phelan said they would not nominate, while Ms Hayden, who is staying on as a councillor, will partake in the vote after returning from leave.

Ms Kirby said her experience as a two-term mayor would help provide the stability required following not only Ms Hayden’s resignation, but that of councillors Lachlan Glen and Brett Cunningham.

Mr Sharkey, elected in 2016 and also a two-term mayor, conveyed a similar message.

He said council’s focus needed to return to “the old, hard basics”.

“We need to be in the media for the right reasons,” he said.

“Hopefully Tuesday’s meeting is a more structured and more united presentation of council.”

Mr Phelan said he understood ratepayers’ frustration and hoped the election of a new mayor would prove to be a much-needed circuit breaker.

“We’ve had councillors resign, a chief executive, a mayor, it’s far from a good look,” he said.

Shane Walden was appointed chief executive in September but lasted only a few months, with details surrounding his departure unclear.

Ms Hayden said at the time he had decided to “pursue a different career path”.

Each nominee for mayor will be allocated five minutes to make their pitch before the formal vote takes place.

The Victorian Electoral Commission confirmed on Monday that a countback to elect Mr Cunningham’s replacement will take place on June 11.

Once Mr Cunningham is replaced, nine of the 10 candidates who stood for election will have spent time on council.

Originally published as Golden Plains Shire councillors to vote in new mayor following resignation of Sarah Hayden