For the first time in eight years, a new mayor will preside over Lake Macquarie City Council as Adam Shultz officially takes the reins at the first sitting since his victory at last month's local government election.
Cr Shultz had previously served as deputy mayor for a 12-month term in 2022, replaced by returning incumbent councillor Madeline Bishop, who was also re-elected in the west ward last month.
Council is expected to elect another deputy mayor as one of the first orders of business during Monday's meeting on October 14, dedicated in the main to dividing the various roles and committee positions of councillors and determining procedures for dealing with vacancies as they arise.
The recently elected council includes four newcomers in Independent Anthony Swinsburg in the west ward and Labor's Stacey Radcliffe, Liberal Matt Schultz and Lake Mac Independents' Michael Hannah in the east.
Cr Swinsburg replaced Labor's David Belcher, who did not win re-election in September, effectively ending the former council's one-party majority.
Council liaison coordinator Amber Murray has recommended councillors vote that vacancies that arise on council within the first 18 months of the term will be filled by a countback process from the last election instead of by calling a by-election.
In a report that will be tabled during Monday's meeting, Ms Murray argues that a countback would cost ratepayers around $50,000 if required and was a significantly cheaper option than a by-election, estimated to cost as much as $1 million. Moreover, the countback would "maintain community sentiment".
The council prematurely lost two of its elected representatives during the last term when Cr Luke Cubis resigned in August last year, and east ward Liberal Nick Jones was sensationally sacked in February for failing to turn up for three consecutive meetings.
Both vacancies occurred outside the 18-month buffer, but neither case resulted in residents returning to the polls for an interim vote.
Councillors will also deliberate on who among them will attend the NSW local government annual conference in November, along with the mayor and deputy mayor, where the council will move that the state government cover costs associated with removing storm debris during SES callouts and clean-up in the area, and that the state allows the reuse of mining-related sites for future employment and conservation.
With a full contingent of 12 councillors across three wards, the stage is expected to be set on Monday as the new term officially begins.
Cr Shultz has previously identified the expansion of Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale, the reconstruction of Awaba House at Booragul, and housing affordability among his short-term mayoral priorities.
Strategic urban infill loomed as a major issue for the next four years. This work would be based around the city's five Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Precincts at Cardiff, Cockle Creek, Morisset, Booragul and Teralba.
