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Ballarat City councillor Samantha McIntosh has been voted in as mayor for the second straight year following a contested ballot on Monday night. However the deputy mayor role changed hands after Cr Daniel Moloney successfully defeated fellow nominee Cr Mark Harris. Cr Amy Johnson had also submitted a nomination for deputy mayor on Wednesday, but withdrew it before the vote. The deputy mayor vote saw Cr Harris and Cr Moloney go head-to-head for the position, with Cr Moloney winning seven votes to two. Cr Moloney said the GovHub development, Civic Hall redevelopment and planned Mair Street works would require strong leadership from council in the next 12 months. “It is going to be the job of councillors to play a strong leadership role through that change,” he said. “Not just population growth, which will be a slow burn happening over 15 years, but in the immediate coming years ahead of us. “It will be a challenging time for us to work with residents and businesses. “If we don’t take advantage of what is about to happen, there is a chance we can miss some big opportunities.” Cr McIntosh won five of nine votes to be elected mayor, with Cr Jim Rinaldi chairing the meeting. She defeated Cr Belinda Coates and Cr Harris who also nominated for the top job. They received two and one votes respectively from council. Cr McIntosh also said planning for the growing population in Ballarat would be a key goal for council. “We know that brings welcome opportunities for us to really make the most of – council is clear in intent to make the most of the opportunities,” she said. “Our goal is to oversee a prosperous city, one that is economically and environmentally sustainable. “It is to build the essential infrastructure that we need in our growing city and at the same time protect the beauty we have here so Ballarat residents can enjoy the very best standard of living and quality of life here in Ballarat.” Cr McIntosh received the votes of councillors Johnson, Taylor, Tillett and Moloney, with her own vote taking the number to five. She will be mayor for another 12 months.

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