Councils still to decide their mayoral makeup for the new term are Tenterfield and Inverell, which will have their votes on Wednesday, and Glen Innes Severn and Moree Plains Shire Councils, which will vote on Thursday.

Uralla and Guyra Councils will meet on September 28, and September 30 will see Walcha, Gwydir and Liverpool Plains hold their ordinary September meetings.

This week, Gunnedah Shire Council returned mayor Owen Hasler for a fourth term.

Staving off a challenge from Cr Colleen Fuller, Cr Hasler was re-elected as mayor by five votes to two, with one informal vote.

The deputy’s role will once again be filled by Cr Gae Swain, who beat challenger Cr David Quince six votes to two.

Cr Hasler was confident the shire would continue to stand alone, with the recommendations on amalgamations expected next month.

The NSW government is expected to hand down a report on council mergers in late October.

He said there were 600 potential jobs on offer pending the opening of the Shenhua mine – a decision set to have a significant impact on the region.

Cementing a sister-city relationship with Linhe district in China is also high on Cr Hasler’s agenda.

He said the agreement would open up “potential for business links, eco-tourism and a youth exchange program”.

Narrabri council has returned mayor Conrad Bolton, who has identified Boggabri as a growth area for the shire.

Cr Bolton was re-elected Monday night and said getting the Boggabri child care centre up and running would be a priority in the coming year. 

With council elections set to take place next year, Cr Bolton said this year his council would be working to ensure there was a pathway for the next council to continue working efficiently.

Cr Cathy Redding was re-elected unopposed as deputy.

To the east, newly elected Armidale Dumaresq mayor Herman Beyersdorf expects possible council mergers to occupy the most of his time in coming months.

With possible effects on councils in Armidale, Guyra, Uralla and Walcha, Cr Beyersdorf said he expected to see some degree of change. 

As mayor, Cr Beyersdorf is also looking to continue the good work at Armidale Airport.

Cr Beyersdorf said the council had opened up industrial land near the airport and would seek to subdivide and attract more business to the area.

A new library for the region remains topical, with the mayor compiling reports on viable options. 

“There are meetings planned for early October and there will be extensive public consultation in the process,” Cr Beyersdorf said.

The new mayor said he would build on his good relationship with the university, aiming to get UNE a bit more involved in the community.

Cr Beyersdorf’s deputy will be Cr Chris Halligan, who bested Cr Margaret O’Connor for the role by six votes to four.

In the Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook Shire Council mayor Martin Rush has been returned, beating challenger and former deputy Malcolm Ogg eight votes to four at Monday’s ordinary general meeting.

The shire’s new deputy is Cr Karen Portolan, who overcame a challenge from Cr Jennifer Lecky by the same margin – eight to four.

Cr Rush thanked outgoing deputy mayor Cr Ogg and congratulated his successor.

Cr Rush said Cr Portolan had seen council through seven budgetary processes and would now lead council through another, describing the incoming deputy as an “extraordinary talent”.