5pm: Good evening. We are at Cowra Shire council's mayoral meeting.
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They are now about to vote for the position of mayor.
Cr Bill West is about to leave the room.
Cowra Shire General manager Paul Devery: "There was only one valid nomination received and that is from Cr Bill West. I therefore declare him the winner and mayor, as there were no other nominations.
"In relation to deputy mayor, two valid nominations were recelved. One from councillor Peter Wright, one from councillor Judi Smith."
Judi Smith is absent tonight, away in Japan.
Councillors are now voting for their deputy mayor, with a sturdy metal box going around the chamber for secret ballot purposes.
Votes are now in. And the result declared by Mr Devery:
"Cr Judi Smith five votes, Cr Peter Wright, three votes."
Paul Devery has now asked Cr West to resume the chair.
Newly elected Mayor Bill West thanked the chamber, saying he very much appreciated the support. He also congratulated Cr Judi Smith in her absence.
"I am looking forward to the next 12 months and working through the challenges ahead."
Now that the voting has completed, the normal council meeting will continue.
Voting complete at 5:16pm.
Also on the agenda tonight: further talk about the Kendal St re-development, specifically whether Council will provide financial compensation to businesses affected by the CBD redevelopment.
At the moment, councillors are debating the pros and cons.
Interesting point just raised: only the infrastructure for traffic lights will be installed at this stage of the redevelopment, not the traffic lights themselves.
Also raised: workplace negotiations, specifically whether work can be fast tracked/undertaken at night.
Mayor: Cowra's Main Street has peculiar circumstances you will find nowhere else. ie. traffic being funnelled by a bridge, rail line, etc.
Cr Ruth Fagan: uncomfortable with Cr Kevin Wright discussing compensation as a main street business owner.
Cr Kevin Wright: has been open, honest, took offence at comments.
Cr Ray Walsh: Cec Peterson isn't the only person who has driven a truck or bus in this town. Most of the streets running parallel are mostly give ways. This is about safety.
Original motion in the agenda regarding the Kendal St redevelopment has just been passed, Cr Bill West used his casting vote. A motion to separate the compensation issue was defeated.
Meeting has now wound up to the public, after further discussion regarding the Showground Trust and the grandstand.
You can find the full agenda of tonight's meeting on council's website cowracouncil.com.au for further reference.
We thank you for joining us on our first live council meeting blog. It has been an experiment that we hope you have enjoyed. Questions, feedback?
Please email janine.finlayson@fairfaxmedia.com.au