Related: O’Rourke wins two-horse mayoral race
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Bendigo’s new mayor used her formal election speech last night to promise a break from the negativity of the past and to oversee a “coming of age” for the city.
Councillor Margaret O'Rourke said the council she led would deliver on the “exciting opportunities” built by previous administrations.
But the businesswoman also outlined her own agenda.
Mayor to make Bendigo a retail hub
Bendigo’s new mayor says she wants to do for retail what past councils have done for the arts.
Councillor Margaret O'Rourke was formally elected as the City of Greater Bendigo’s 21st mayor at a special meeting of council in Town Hall last night. She said she wanted to use her year in office to lead a time when “we put the negativity behind us”.
“By far the biggest challenge of this council is to learn from the things that happened in the past and ensure that we work with respect,” the mayor said.
Cr O'Rourke said she had noticed changes throughout her lifetime in people’s reactions when she introduced herself as being from Bendigo – in recent years, for the worst.
“Years ago it used to mean a mention of the trams or gold or confusing us with Ballarat,” Cr O'Rourke said. “In more recent years, it has been that they have been here for an exhibition at the Art Gallery.
“However over the past few years Bendigo has been mentioned in not-always-the-most-flattering of ways.
“The election of this new council marks a significant opportunity for greater Bendigo and its people to make a fresh start.”
Cr O'Rourke promised to capture the potential of the “exciting opportunities” built or supported by previous councils, naming the airport and the new hospital as priorities. She also said she would build on the city’s strengths, naming tourism, the Art Gallery, the Bendigo Bank and the Bendigo Spirit.
But Cr O'Rourke said the drafting of the 2017-2021 Council Plan would allow the new council to set its own agenda. She said she believed the city must take a more strategic approach to growing its retail sector.
“Bendigo has already placed itself as a major destination for our arts and culture and I believe we can do the same with retail and make greater Bendigo the retail destination for regional Victoria,” she said.
In a show of unity, Cr O'Rourke was nominated by the only other councillor to put his hand up for the job, councillor James Williams.
Cr Williams described his new colleague as an “accomplished business woman” who would do great things for the region.
“I have heard you express your desire to further the national broadband roll-out to the region in your campaign trail,” Cr Williams said.
“Now you have the position and you have skill to deliver on your commentary.”