Peter Walker elected Goulburn Mayor and first-time decision on deputy mayor made

The first meeting of the year for a Southern Tablelands council saw the appointment of a new mayor as well as an unprecedented decision for its leadership team.

Tuesday’s first council meeting of the year saw the appointment of Goulburn’s mayor, as well as a never-seen move on the deputy leadership, which has left some councillors perplexed with the unexpected turn of events.

In the action-packed meeting, Cr Peter Walker was elected as Mayor, after holding the role of deputy mayor since 2018, and becoming councillor in 2016.

“I’m more than happy with the outcome and I look forward to the challenge,” Cr Walker said.

“It would be remiss not to say that Cr Kirk and some of the other older councillors have probably given me the drive to take on the role, so I do thank (them) for the things (they’ve) taught me.”

The decision to appoint Cr Peter Walker as mayor was supported by 5 councillors in an open vote, while the other four were for former mayor, Cr Kirk.

Cr Kirk spoke of how devastated he was by the decision.

“I’m very disappointed by the outcome, I don’t think my case (for mayor) was listened to,” Cr Kirk said.

Although the mayor and deputy mayor do not get chosen by popular vote, Cr Kirk was confident that in securing 23 per cent of community votes in the 2021 election – a 56 per cent increase in votes from the last election – he would be elected as mayor.

“The decision made was based on nothing said here tonight,” Cr Kirk said.

“Goulburn Mulwaree has always supported community opinion, and the community will be affected by this.”

However, the previous mayor of five years, and deputy mayor of eight before that, said he was not going anywhere and is keen to get to work in 2022.

“I’m still a councillor and I’ll be the best councillor in the room,” Cr Kirk said.

Cr Bob Kirk outside the Goulburn Mulwaree Council office, bids farewell to his eight-year tenure as mayor, and is eager to remain as a councillor.

Another major event of the night was the first-time motion to not elect a deputy mayor, which Cr Andrew Banfield brought to the table.

Cr Walker was one of five to favour the motion, meaning the eight remaining councillors will share deputy mayor duties depending on what skills are required and the situation.

“I think (the motion) is based on good merit – I’m happy for everyone to put their hand up – and we will see how it goes,” Cr Walker said.

There will be no official deputy mayor until the next mayoral election in September 2023 and the decision will be further discussed at a future briefing of council.

In his speech, Cr Walker said there were a number of the issues he wanted to address during his term, as well as readdress some of the “baggage” from the last five years.

He spoke of wanting a future for Wakefield Park Raceway, which the council have an upcoming court hearing with due to the owner’s opposition to conditions relating to noise control.

He also maintained his and the council's stance against the Veolia waste incinerator.

“I am 100 per cent against it, I don’t want to see them (incinerators) in Australia,” Cr Walker said.

Wendy Tuckerman, and representatives of Goulburn Mulwaree Council previously holding up signs with the community of Tarago, in opposition of the Veolia energy-from-waste incinerator. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva

He spoke of addressing the council’s relationship with Veolia, who they had a “hiccup” with not long ago, referring to Veolia withdrawing their $2.5 million grant for Goulburn Performing Arts Centre.

“I think we need to go back and have open and frank discussions about what the expectations are,” Cr Walker said.

Other topics included sewage in Marulan, creating a permanent home for Goulburn Riding for the Disabled, better utilising the TAFE campus, and progressing an aged care facility in the area.

“If we could get a bunch of aged care certificates at TAFE, we could be the centre of NSW for training people up,” Cr Walker said.

“We need to see where the aged care facility is up to – they said they could employ 100 people, that’s many local jobs.”

Cr Walker also spoke of his eagerness to work with the councillors, including the five “fresh faces” of Michael Prevedello, Daniel Strickland, Jason Shephard, Andrew Wood and Steven Ruddell, who were elected in December last year.

“We all have ideas and if you have something to say, you should stand up and say it,” Cr Walker said.

“I’m keen to see how the new councillors reinvigorate the team.”

Cr Walker is looking forward to leading a team with “transparency” and “good communication.”

“The next three-to-five years will be important in addressing our priorities,” Cr Walker said.

“We need to work harder and keep moving forward.”