Greater Bendigo reveals Andrea Metcalf will be new mayor

She beat out current mayor Jen Alden for the top job for 2021/22 after a two-way race emerged in late October.

Cr Metcalf's deputy will be Matthew Evans, who was the only councillor to nominate for that role.

In Greater Bendigo, councillors elect the mayor and deputy every year, while the public votes on all nine elected officials every four years.

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Cr Metcalf is taking the job on at a time when many businesses are still recovering from the pandemic and sometimes juggling intermittent lockdowns as new tier one exposure sites are declared.

It also comes amid continued uncertainty about the likelihood of key public events including the Bendigo Easter Fair going ahead next year over concerns about social distancing rules.

The council is still counting the cost of ongoing emergency support measures to help community members after extended lockdowns this financial year have impacted on income from fines, fees and events.

Council staff say the city's finances are still in a strong position but warn that more pandemic impacts will make things that much harder when it is time to draft the next budget.

The new mayor said her focus would be on the city's council plan, economic recovery from the pandemic and a "grassroots budget that delivers much-needed community projects".

"We are very much hoping the best days are ahead of us as we continue to navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, so with that optimism comes opportunity to help our local economy bounce back better than before," Cr Metcalf said in a statement.

"We know tourism to our region is driven by events, so we hope to see a great range of new and flagship events fill our community calendar, as well as continued promotion of our City of Gastronomy status to attract people to enjoy our excellent food and wine culture."

Cr Metcalf said she would also be turning her attention to state and federal elections.

She said they would bring a chance to advocate for priority builds including the Bendigo Airport and Bendigo Art Gallery expansions.

The council has been trying to raise the money needed for a redevelopment of an ageing and cramped Bendigo Airport terminal for a number of years.

It and the state government have pitched in funding but the federal government is yet to pledge $4.4 million to make the project a reality.

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The council recently approved a business case for the art gallery, with millions of dollars needed from both state and federal governments.

Cr Metcalf said she was most looking forward to meeting with the community face to face.

"Although I can understand some people may be nervous to move around, as we start to live with COVID-19, I hope to see more people out and about doing more of what we have missed over nearly two years," she said.

"It is a great honour to be elected mayor by my council colleagues and I welcome hearing from residents in the months to come and working with staff to deliver important services, projects and initiatives for Greater Bendigo."

Cr Metcalf is a Whipstick ward councillor who has served on the council since 2016. She is reaching the end of a stint as deputy mayor.

Cr Matthew Evans is a first-time Councillor and represents the Eppalock ward.

He said he was looking forward to working with Cr Metcalf to make good things happen in the community.

Cr Evens was particularly keen to see more events in Greater Bendigo as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided.

"So I hope to see our public spaces and facilities like Bendigo Stadium packed with great events that will entertain our community and attract visitors to our region," he said.

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