The Local Government Act requires that a Mayor be elected by the Councillors within 14 days of a vacancy in the Mayoral office occurring. As a result, Upper Hunter Shire Council will hold an Extraordinary meeting on Tuesday 16 June 2020 at 5pm to elect a new Mayor, and if required a new Deputy Mayor.

At this meeting Councillors will also decide whether to apply to the Minister for Local Government to hold a by-election for the vacancy (1 position) on Council, or to maintain the vacancy until the next election due by September 2021. As this is less than 18 months away, a by-election is not obligatory but could still occur.

A by-election, if held, will be to elect only one Councillor, to fill the vacancy. The term of the existing Councillors is not affected and they will remain in office until the next ordinary election in September 2021.

Factors in making the decision about a by-election include the considerable costs involved in running the by-election and the impact on decision-making and community representation of having one less Councillor.

The meeting can be viewed online on Tuesday, June 16, at 5pm. Everyone is welcome to watch it live on Council's YouTube channel or watch the recording anytime in the next month- until it is replaced with the formal minutes.

The mayoral vacancy occurred due to the resignation of Mr Wayne Bedggood as Mayor and Councillor on June 9, after nearly eight years on Council.

Deputy Mayor Maurice Collison is Acting Mayor in the Interim.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to Council during business hours on 6540 1100 or email council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au