Kyogle’s new mayor Kylie Thomas replaces Danielle Mulholland

Kyogle’s new mayor says her title “is just the front of house” and she will very much be a member of new look council leadership team.

Kyogle Council’s new mayor Kylie Thomas said she is learning in her first week of the job as her team focuses on things that will benefit the region.

New councillors James Murray, Robert Cullen and Tom Cooper have stepped up to replace outgoing councillors Lindsay Passfield, Robert Dwyer and Earle Grundy.

Mr Cooper was elected by his peers as the new deputy mayor, taking over the reigns from John Burley who retained his position as councillor for ward B.

Ms Thomas, from Doubtful Creek, said she didn’t plan on being extreme in any of the ideas that she may want to put forth.

“My leadership style is different,” she said.

“The mayor is just the front of house.

“It is not its own entity, it is very much a member of the team.”

Ms Thomas said she intended to include Mr Cooper in many of her mayoral meetings as the new council adjusted to new people in new roles.

“We’re still learning, everything is still fresh it’s only been a week,” Ms Thomas said.

“We had members of the community put their hands up and run for a reason so we will look at directing our time and energy into things that are important and that will benefit Kyogle.”

Former Kyogle Council mayor Danielle Mulholland has been elected as a councillor.

Ms Thomas said the council would need time to adjust and her priorities were focusing on the job at hand and not getting caught up in the emotions of change.

Newly elected deputy Mayor Tom Cooper said there was always a settling in period where people would need time to get to know one another.

“There will probably be a culture shift with more services for the public, by that I mean better communication between council staff and the public,” he said.

The council has also resolved that the mayor and deputy mayor positions will run for two years.

Ms Thomas and Mr Cooper will be joined by councillors James Murray, Danielle Mulholland (former mayor), Maggie May, Robert Cullen, John Burley (former deputy mayor), Hayden Doolan and Janet Wilson.

Ms Mulholland was unavailable due to training commitments when contacted for comment.