September 17, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council has voted to return its leadership team of Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke for the final year of this Council’s term.

The election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor was held by ballot in the Gunnedah Shire Council chambers this afternoon.

NSW local government elections had been scheduled to take place this month but, due to COVID-19, have been delayed until September 2021. Council votes every two years to decide who will hold the offices of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. In this case, Cr Chaffey and Cr Hooke will now hold those positions until the election next September.

Cr Chaffey, who was elected unopposed, said he was looking forward to continuing the work of the past four years to develop the exciting opportunities already underway.

“There is a tremendous amount of work going on across Gunnedah at the moment, and even more to come in the years ahead,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Our Koala Park and Hospital will be an awesome addition to the Shire. We also look forward to our new hospital becoming a reality, a state-of-the-art saleyards and finding new and innovative ways to improve our skills within the shire, and attract new people to this great place we live in.

“I’m honoured to have the unanimous support of Gunnedah Shire Council and look forward to working with Cr Hooke and our Council team to progress the many opportunities there are for our Shire.”

Cr Hooke said continuing with the leadership team would allow Council to work seamlessly towards achieving its vision for a strong, resilient Gunnedah Shire into the future.

“I’m excited about the year ahead,” he said. “Council, under the leadership of Cr Chaffey, has worked hard to open doors and get things happening in Gunnedah.

“The Shire, our community and our businesses, are in a really strong position, especially considering the difficult economic times we are all facing.”

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey (right) and Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke have been re-elected.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.