New Coffs Harbour and Bellingen councils prepare for a busy 2022

‘Intriguing and exciting and a lot to learn.’ One local council has already met to elect a deputy and another is still gearing up with induction training.

The new Bellingen deputy mayor Joanne Cook and newly elected Coffs Harbour City Councillors Steve Wolgamot and Julie Sechi.

Newly elected Coffs Harbour councillors are facing a steep learning curve as they undergo induction training to prepare them for the big job ahead.

Five of the eight Coffs Harbour City Councillors elected to office in December last year are new to the role.

In addition to the eight councillors, voters elected Paul Amos to the role of mayor. He has been on council since the 2016 elections.

Scott Wolgamot, from Vote 1, Team Paul ‘Moose’ Amos, is one of the newcomers and he isn’t underestimating the challenges ahead.

He is in the middle of a five-week block of inductions and training sessions.

“It’s been intriguing and exciting and there is a lot to learn and it’s clearly going to take a bit of time,” Mr Wolgamot said.

“One of the educators said it would be a difficult term because we’re starting in February instead of September so there is more pressure on the five of us (the newcomers) to get up to speed.”

The elections, originally scheduled for September 2020, were postponed twice due to Covid and were eventually held on December 4 last year.

“Last week we learnt about council’s structure - how councillors work with the GM, directors and staff.”

Coffs Harbour City Council chambers in Castle Street.

Prior to putting his hand up for election he sought advice from an ex-general manager who emphasised the importance of a healthy relationship between politicians and public servants in local government.

“He said it was a team sport.”

Looking ahead Mr Wolgamot has outlined two critical issues he is keen to work on.

“The two big things are the Jetty Foreshores and how we handle the tip.”

The first meeting of the new Coffs council is on Thursday, February 10.

First meeting for Bellingen Shire Council

There were only two existing Councillors returned to Bellingen Shire Council at the recent elections.

The previous mayor Dominic King and deputy mayor Jennie Fenton are back again along with newly elected mayor Steve Allan and four new councillors: Jo Brotherton, Joanne Cook, Stephen Glyde and Elie Tree.

The new cohort took an oath of office on Tuesday (January 25) prior to their first ordinary meeting.

There was a welcome to country and smoking ceremony followed by a meet and greet morning tea with councillors and their families and friends.

During their first meeting Cr Joanne Cook was elected deputy mayor.

Ms Cook lives in Dorrigo and is a dairy farm owner and nurse.