Cr O’Rourke was sworn in for a third consecutive term as mayor on Tuesday evening, and used her speech to list achievements of the last 12 months and to set the agenda for the coming year.

She said the council had an important role to advocate for new projects following the recent completion of a number of major projects, with more difficult decisions to come.

“The past 12 months have seen council make a number of difficult decisions. Not every decision we make will be popular but it is our responsibility to be courageous and visionary in our decision making; ensuring under the Local Government Act that we make decisions for the whole municipality,” Cr O’Rourke said.

“The community continue to comment about the importance of stability in their council and how we have handled ourselves in this term thus far.

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“They are particularly appreciative of the positive governance that this council demonstrates and our healthy respect for differing views and opinions.

“I believe this has been even more valued in recent times, particularly when at the federal level this appears to have been lost from the current government.”

Major projects that the council will advocate for in the next 12 months include funding for the expansion of the Golden Dragon Museum to become the National Chinese Museum of Australia, and infrastructure upgrades to the airport terminal building.

Cr O’Rourke paid tribute to outgoing deputy mayor Jennifer Alden, who she said had worked hard for the community. Cr Alden will be replaced in the deputy role by Cr Rod Fyffe.

The City of Greater Bendigo will also pass 25 years since its establishment following the amalgamation of councils in the 1990s.

Cr O’Rourke said this had been a welcome change for Bendigo, and the city had received more than $1 billion of investment in that time.

“Our city has matured and grown so much in that time,” she said.

“This growth has happened under the leadership of many people, not just councillors.

“It takes great teamwork to get to this point where we can reflect on just how far we have come.”

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