The City of Wagga Wagga has a new leadership team after Councillors this week elected the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Dallas Tout was elected for his third term as the city's Mayor and Cr Georgie Davies was elected the Deputy Mayor at the first meeting of the new Council on Monday 14 October 2024.
The Mayoral election was contested by Crs Tout and Parkins, with Councillors voting seven-two in favour of Cr Tout who has served as the city's Mayor since January 2022 and had previously been the Deputy Mayor since 2014.
There were two nominees for the position of Deputy Mayor – Crs Davies and Parkins. Cr Davies secured six of the nine votes.
The Mayoral term will be for two years, as provided for under Section 227 of the Act. At its meeting this week, Council also resolved to shorten the term of the Deputy Mayor to a one-year term.
Cr Tout said he looked forward to working as Mayor with Deputy Mayor Cr Davies over the next 12 months, as well as the Councillor and Council team.
"The leadership of council sits within the nine councillors; the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are representational in nature, whether that be attending meetings as required, chairing meetings or attending business and community events" Cr Tout said.
"There are some key priority areas for the new Council, such as resolving the tenure of the Wagga Wagga Airport, infrastructure around the LGA, Lake Albert, and the Special Activation Precinct, but at the heart of it all is the community.
"Working with community and continuing to talk to community and consult with community about everything, not just the big picture stuff, that is what councillors are there for. You have to advocate, whether that be at the macro level or for individual residents."
Cr Davies said it was a great honour to be elected as Deputy Mayor, and she felt humbled but excited about being given the opportunity to serve in the role for the next 12 months.
"I'm overwhelmed by the support from my fellow councillors," Cr Davies said.
"We work as a really good team. We did last term, and I hope that will continue into this term."
The mid-term mayoral elections in Wagga Wagga will be held in September 2026, with the next election for the deputy mayor role to be held in September 2025.
