CITY of Greater Bendigo councillors have praised incoming mayor Alec Sandner.Cr Sandner became mayor elect during a closed-door council meeting last night.The Flora Hill ward councillor will officially assume the top job at a special council meeting next month.

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He said he was “honoured” to have received the endorsement of his colleagues.“It is going to be a challenge and something that I am going to enjoy doing for the final term of this council,” Cr Sandner said.“It will be a year of finishing off what we have started.”Councillors spoke of a busy year ahead and congratulated Cr Sandner on his forthcoming appointment.“I congratulate him on being elected mayor for the next 12 months,” Eaglehawk’s Cr Peter Cox said.“I think he has got a lot to contribute.”Incumbent mayor Rod Fyffe said he would assist Cr Sandner wherever needed.He wished his replacement well for the year ahead.“It is a privilege and honour to be mayor,” Cr Fyffe said.“I will give him support if he ever needs it.”Kangaroo Flat ward Cr Barry Lyons said he expected Cr Sandner would do an excellent job.North West Plains ward Cr Bruce Phillips said Cr Sandner would be mayor during a year of delivery for the council.Cr Keith Reynard of Strathfieldsaye also endorsed Cr Sandner and said it would be business as usual for the council during its final year in office.Cr Sandner was a former Strathfieldsaye Shire councillor between 1982 and 1987.He was shire president during 1985-86.The retiree won the Flora Hill ward at the 2008 elections.Cr Sandner owned and operated the Strath Village Newsagency between 1994 and 2003.For full coverage, see tomorrow’s Bendigo Advertiser.