Ben Shields has been re-elected as mayor of Dubbo Regional Council.
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He will be joined by Stephen Lawrence who was elected as deputy mayor.
Cr Shields ran unopposed at the mayoral election on Thursday night. But Cr Lawrence went against Anne Jones for the role of deputy. He won the vote by six votes to four.
While normally a two year gig, the mayor and deputy will stay in the role until 2020 when the next council elections are held.
Cr Shields has been on council since 1999. He was deputy mayor of Dubbo City Council and then became mayor of the amalgamated council in 2017.
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He spoke about the strengths of Dubbo Regional Council in the past two years, touching on highlights such as funding for sporting fields and the live streaming of council meetings.
Cr Shields said his proudest moment in the last two years has been the development of the former RAAF base on Palmer Street. He also emphasised his desire to make Dubbo the most disability-friendly city in Australia.
Looking to the future, Cr Shields said the drug court and rehabilitation centre were at the top of council's social agenda.
There were too many young people trapped in cycles that needed to be broken, he said.
He also raised his issues with the River Street bridge.
But if there was anything that council should go down in the history books for it was that they were the "consensus council", the mayor said. He said the councillors didn't fight and squabble in the chambers.
Cr Shields says there are three things needed to be a good mayor: empathy, energy and a business mind.
"That's the key. A hell of a lot of energy. Particularly now with Welling ton, it is four nights a week away from home and I've got to fight for the other three," he said.
"The sausage dogs at home are quite upset with me."
Cr Shields said the role was busier than having a full time job.
Cr Lawrence joined council in 2017. He is currently the chair of two of Dubbo's standing committees.
Councillors Vicki Etheridge, Stephen Lawrence, Greg Mohr, Dayne Gumley, John Ryan and Ben Shields all voted in favour of the new deputy.
"It's a real honour to be elected as deputy mayor of Dubbo region. I'm looking forward to what the duties entail and hope I do a good job," he said.
Cr Lawrence said the position carried with it a somewhat higher profile which would allow him to have a more powerful voice when campaigning on issues for Dubbo.
Despite having differing opinions, both men said they would work well together.
Cr Jones was previous the mayor of Wellington Shire Council before the amalgamation. In 2017 she was elected unopposed as the deputy mayor.