Prominent community advocate John Hedditch has been elected Brimbank council mayor.
The long-time Sunshine resident and key Save Sunvale Park member pipped Bruce Lancashire to the post, six votes to five.
Former Sunshine Heights Primary School deputy principal Georgina Papafotiou will serve as Cr Hedditch’s deputy.
The new council also voted for one-year mayoral terms.
In his acceptance speech at a special council meeting tonight, Cr Hedditch said the newly-elected council was eager to engage with the community.
“We have a new council and we have a desire to do the best for these people,” he said.
“It’s [Brimbank] had seven years in administration and those years have helped it get back on its feet, but one of the things that administrators can’t do well is get out there and among us.
“We’re keen to get out there and start talking to you about what you want and what you need.”
Cr Hedditch said the new councillors had spoken about the need to work together to avoid the sort of conflicts that crippled the previous council, which was sacked by the state government in 2009.
“We need a cohesive council,” he said. “No one on this council I know wants to see the infighting of the past.”
