Council to elect new Mayor following resignation

Council to elect new Mayor following resignation

Gannawarra Shire Council will hold an Unscheduled Meeting of Council on Wednesday, 21 October to elect a new Mayor following the resignation of Cr Garner Smith from the role on 30 September.

Cr Smith announced at the September 2026 Council Meeting his intention to resign as Mayor following his nomination as a candidate for the Murray Plains electorate in the November State Election.

As another Councillor is currently on leave, Cr Smith will not seek a leave of absence from Council.

"Standing for State election is a personal decision," Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Geoff Rollinson said.

"Under the

Local Government Act 2020

, announcing an intention to stand as a candidate does not require a Councillor to step down from Council or a Mayor to step down from their role. In this instance, Cr Smith has chosen to step down from his role as Mayor.

"Councils across Victoria have managed similar situations in accordance with the Act, while ensuring continuity of governance and representation for their communities."

The election of a new Mayor will take place at 5.30pm on Wednesday, 21 October, at The Glasshouse, Kerang.

Residents are welcome to attend the meeting. A recording of the meeting will be available at

www.gsc.vic.gov.au/meetings

by 6pm the following day.

The newly elected Mayor will serve until Council's routine annual Mayoral election, scheduled for Wednesday, 18 November 2026.

In accordance with Section 21 of the

Local Government Act 2020

, Deputy Mayor, Cr Ross Stanton will serve as Acting Mayor until the Unscheduled Meeting of Council is held.

TOP: Deputy Mayor, Cr Ross Stanton (left) will serve as Acting Mayor until an Unscheduled Meeting of Council is held later this month after Cr Garner Smith (right) resigned from the position of Mayor on 30 September.

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