GREATER Bendigo's new mayor-elect says she is focusing on the year ahead after the council decided to change mayors after 12 months.
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While Andrea Metcalf would not rule out back-to-back mayoral terms, she said it was not something she was considering so soon.
"I hope to be exhausted by the end of this (mayoral term) with all the things we will be doing for Greater Bendigo," she said.
Cr Margaret O'Rourke was mayor for an unprecedented four straight years between 2016 and 2020 and nominated again for the following 12-month term.
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Councillors elected Jen Alden for that year. She nominated for a consecutive term this time around but was unsuccessful.
Cr Metcalf said she had spoken to colleague Rod Fyffe about his experiences as a four-time Greater Bendigo mayor.
He had told her that he was often exhausted by the end of them because he had worked every day.
Cr Metcalf said she intended to do the same thing.
The council unveiled its pick for mayor on Monday and she is expected to be formally installed at a meeting on November 9.
Councillors have also backed a "humbled and honoured" Matthew Evans for the deputy mayor position.
Cr Evans refused to be drawn on whether the role might be a stepping stone to the mayoral office in years to come.
"I've just been endorsed as deputy mayor. Let me find my feet there first and then we will see what happens," he said.
Councillors Metcalf and Evans both expected an incredibly busy year.
"We've got two elections coming up, those being for the state and federal governments," Cr Metcalf said.
"We will be advocating like crazy."
The council has a wish list including 12 major projects like Bendigo Airport upgrades, an expansion of the art gallery and plans to deal with waste as landfills fill up.
"The best part will actually be being back out in the community again. As a councillor, I have really missed that," Cr Metcalf said.
Cr Evans said he was looking forward to helping implement a host of "future shaping strategies" that had just been approved by his colleagues including a council plan, a financial plan and the Healthy Greater Bendigo strategy.
"So the next 12 months are about delivering those outcomes. They are good, strong outcomes for the community," he said.
"We are here to serve the people and make sure they are getting the outcomes of our work and that of the city."
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