Livingstone back in the fold as an independent shire

IT was a calm and considered mayor who led the new Livingstone Shire Council through its first meeting on Friday.

IT was a calm and considered mayor who led the new Livingstone Shire Council through its first meeting on Friday.

Mayor Bill Ludwig returned to the top job after a five-and-a-half year journey to reclaim Livingstone as an independent shire.

"This is a fantastic day for the people of Livingstone, the end result of democracy in action," he said.

The mayor and six councillors were sworn in as the first order of business.

This was followed by the unanimous election of Graham Scott as deputy mayor.

New councillor Jan Kelly summed up the mood when she said each councillor was totally committed to making it work.

"We want to achieve great things for Livingstone, and we need to work together to do it," she said.

"Graeme Kanofski (transfer manager) has been absolutely brilliant, and the incoming CEO is definitely the right man for the job.

"If we can't have Graeme Kanofski, then Andy Ireland is the man we need to have."

The five-man, two-woman team doesn't faze Cr Kelly, who said she could hold her own in any gender break-up.

"I think Glenda does too."

Livingstone Shire Council will bring down its first budget on January 14.

Cr Ludwig said it would be underpinned by a five to 10-year financial strategy and would see Livingstone in a surplus position within 24 months.

Originally published as Livingstone back in the fold as an independent shire