Kyogle’s new mayor ready for action

Danielle Mulholland has been re-elected to the top job in Kyogle local government after previously serving as mayor from 2013 to 2021. John Burley was elected deputy mayor.

Kyogle Council has experienced some tumultuous times during the previous term. There is a hope that some stability might return with progressive Cr Mulholland at the helm.

She played a pivotal role during the time when CSG and other unconventional gas projects threatened the region.

After a referendum to give ratepayers the right to directly choose their own mayor failed at the recent local government election, the new leadership team was elected by their fellow Kyogle councillors.

Mayor Mulholland told The Echo, ‘Being re-elected as mayor has been a humbling and privileged experience. We have a number of councillors returning and four new councillors coming on board so I see that as an opportunity to start with a clean slate, have a positive, forward-thinking attitude and stay focused on serving our communities with a “can do” attitude.

‘There is a lot of work to do, but the first cab off the rank is to recruit and appoint a permanent General Manager. We have some major projects in the works like the Mallanganee Observatory, roads, bridges and causeways (of course), the Health and Wellbeing hub is being revisited and so much more.

‘We have some relationship building to do across all tiers of government and within our communities as well. But Kyogle Council has never shied away from a challenge and I am confident that we will get to where we need to be.

‘Building that leadership capacity – not only within our Council and staff, but also in our communities – is one of the challenges we will face and overcome,’ said Mayor Mulholland.

‘We will once again, be known as a Council of excellence, a desirable employer, an organisation who achieves far beyond expectations and can deliver projects on budget and on time.

‘Onwards and upwards!’