Mayoral moves: Andrew McLean returns as Yarriambiack Shire leader
Farmer and former teacher steps into Yarriambiack's mayoral role with a bold plan to secure millions in infrastructure funding from governments.
Incoming Yarriambiack Shire mayor Andrew McLean will prioritise securing state and federal funding for roads and other infrastructure to support the council’s growing role in mining, renewables and transmission projects.
The 64-year-old Patchewollock farmer and former schoolteacher is among the councillors across the state who are either returning as mayor or entering the job for the first time.
Cr McLean had a stint a decade ago, but returns to mayor with community angst running high about approved or existing projects including the Donald mineral sands mine and VNI West transmission lines.
Earlier this year, Yarriambiack Shire released a position statement stating it respected landholders’ rights to negotiate with companies about land use and making sure government “significantly invests back into our shire and region the funds that will be generated from the energy transition”.
“Something is being imposed on us and we’re doing our best to stay neutral,” Cr McLean said.
“But we’d like to see benefits come back to us and royalties spread throughout our community.
“We want to see money spent on our roads.
“Some of the sponsorship (money) to date that has been spread around our community is causing some angst.”
In Gippsland, Kate Wilson, who quit her senior job working for Baw Baw Shire to successfully stand for council last year, has been voted in as mayor.
She ran a beef farm at Neerim Junction for 10 years before switching to local government including eight years at Baw Baw.
Managing major population growth in Warragul and Drouin primarily was among the council’s biggest challenges.
“Council already has ageing infrastructure, buildings, roads, drains, and all of this population growth is going to need more and more of those things,” Cr Wilson said.
“But the growth is opportunity as well, we just need to leverage it and get wise.”
Ararat’s Bob Sanders returns as mayor replacing Jo Armstrong, who is being touted as the Nationals candidate to contest the seat of Ripon in next year’s state Victorian election.
Ripon is held by Labor’s Martha Haylett on a 3 per cent margin.
Nationals’ MP Jade Benham was Swan Hill mayor when she won the seat of Mildura in 2022, beating independent Ali Cupper, who became mayor of Mildura Council this month.
Meanwhile, Macedon Ranges mayor Dom Bonanno has stood down from the job due to a “major lapse in judgment” when caught drink driving last month.
He has taken leave of absence until November 25 when the council will elect a new mayor.
