Community & Business
5 November, 2025
Acting deputy mayor duties to be shared after Ashley Walker's official departure
The October meeting of Gilgandra Shire Council marked the official resignation of councillor and deputy mayor, Ash Walker.
As such, one of the first items of business for the meeting was to elect an acting deputy mayor.
Mayor Doug Batten, commented to the meeting that upon further advice, the recommendations in the business paper should be changed from:
1. That Council elect an Acting Deputy Mayor for the interim period between October 21, 2025, and December 16, 2025 [council meeting dates].
2. That should there be two or more nominations received for the position of Deputy Mayor, an election be conducted by way of ordinary ballot.
3. That Council elect a Deputy Mayor at the December Council Meeting for period 16 December 2025 to September 2026.
To the final passed resolution of: “That Council defer the election of the Deputy Mayor until future date to coincide with the swearing in of the new Councillor.”
Council’s general manager, David Neeves, expressed to the meeting that council required a person with the delegated authority (acting deputy position) in case the mayor was unable to do something, such as action documents, or attend and/or chair meetings on behalf of the mayor.
Mr Neeves said the position didn’t require two elections in eight weeks and suggested that it be split between the interested councillors.
Councillors were then encouraged to self-nominate their interest.
Four councillors, Cr Nick White, Cr Paul Mann, Cr Ian Freeth and Cr Madeline Foran, all expressed an interest in undertaking the acting deputy role.
It was decided that the four councillors would split up the position for approximately two weeks each until the new councillor was confirmed in December 2025, and thus a proper election for the position of deputy could be held.
It is anticipated that former councillor, Gail Babbage, will return to council under the countback provisions. Now that councillor Walker’s resignation is effective, the NSW Electoral Commission will now be instructed by council to formerly undertake that process. This will result in Cr Babbage being sworn in at the December meeting.
Mayor Doug Batten said the strong interest in the acting position was positive. “I was moved by the interest shown by the four councillors in the deputy mayor position,” he said. “Following the council meeting, I had a meeting with them, at which I outlined my role and the relationship with the deputy mayor role. Whilst the deputy isn’t on regular call, during their nominated period they might get called up to substitute the mayor.
“I look forward to the December meeting, when the position [deputy mayor, non-acting] is resolved by the vote of all councillors, and all things being equal we will welcome Gail Babbage back to council.”
“We did mark the last meeting of Mr Walker, with an informal dinner where various councillors offered comments in regard to his service to council and his commitment to community. Which I’m sure that commitment will be ongoing.
“His contribution will be missed – he was a good ally and good sounding board,” said mayor Batten.
Mr Walker said one of the highlights of his 13 years on council has been the growth in the budget and the projects achieved for the community.
“When I started on council in 2012, to where GSC is today – back then we had a budget of $20 million. This year GSC has a budget of $81 million. The thing I take out of that is that council is putting the right people in the right jobs, and seeking opportunities that fund community infrastructure renewals,” said Mr Walker.
“When you’ve got a cohesive group of councillors, led by Doug [Batten] and Dave [Neeves], and good community involvement in the strategic planning process – you get results. That cohesiveness is really important.
Mr Walker said part of the council’s role is to manage the community experience and expectation – and that everybody has their own views on what is important to them – which may not address bigger picture projects.
“You only get the community that you are prepared to build and sometimes it is really challenging when council has to cut the costs to fit. When you’re in local government, you are closest to the community. We live locally and people want to interact with us in public on the issues that are important to them. Sometimes when you explain the processes, they think you’re making excuses but you’re not.
Mr Walker commented that one of the common challenges with completing or building projects is that the regulations or laws local governments need to enforce aren’t theirs - many are made by state or federal bodies with council’s control of those out of its hands. “Ultimately, we want to encourage more people to run for council,” he said.
“I need to acknowledge the work of Doug [Batten] and David [Neeves} and my fellow councillors. Without their cohesion, and leadership which meets the objectives of the funding bodies, you end up playing the man and not the ball. We have been really lucky as council, we’ve always wanted the best for our community and we fight tooth and nail to try and get that,” said Mr Walker.
