Staff writers
Cr Michael Leaney was elected as Mayor of Baw Baw Shire on Wednesday night.
Cr Leaney, who is a councillor in the East Ward, steps up after fulfilling the role of Deputy Mayor during the previous 12 months.
“I’d like to thank my fellow councillors for the faith they’ve put in me for this important role,” Cr Leaney said.
“We have a great team here. A team that works cooperatively and one that is totally committed to making things happen for the greater good of our community.
“We also have a wonderful team of officers, an excellent CEO, but most importantly we have an amazing community.”
Cr Leaney, who touched on the fact Baw Baw Shire is the fastest growing municipality in regional Victoria, said his focus was on strengthening the region with the support of all levels of government.
“No matter what part of the Shire you call home – whether it’s in our major growth areas or our rural and remote areas – we have a vibrant community here in Baw Baw Shire – I will work as hard as I can to deliver the results that our whole community desperately requires,” he said.
“So many people are moving here because they think it’s fabulous – and it is fabulous – but we need new infrastructure and government funding support to cope with our growing population.
“We need major arterial road improvements. We need community infrastructure improvements. We need healthcare improvements.
“Over the next year, I’m going to make getting the assistance we need a key priority. I’m going to call on the federal government and the state government to let them know clearly what we need for our growing municipality.
“I see both Canberra and Spring Street as being our partners to provide the infrastructure and facilities that the Baw Baw Shire community needs and deserves.”
Cr Annemarie McCabe was elected Deputy Mayor.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor will serve a one-year term in these roles until November 2022.
