The dynamic duo of Ambrose Doolan and Dr Aniello Iannuzzi will team up once again as mayor and deputy mayor of Warrumbungle Shire Council.

The pair were elected to Council in December and ran unopposed for the executive positions in early January.

Cr Doolan said he was hopeful it showed he was on the right track following his previous term as mayor.

“I was very grateful and humbled to have the result we did during the elections,” Cr Doolan said.

“And then, for the councillors to put their trust in me for the role of mayor again.”

The incumbent mayor said he looked forward to working with the new look Council representatives and once again teaming up with Cr Iannuzzi.

He said the group had an interesting mix that would benefit the community. 

“It looks like a really good team that has a different range of experience and abilities,” he said.

“Everyone brings something different and there’s a good representation across the entire Shire of all ages and occupations.”

Cr Doolan said his previous term hadn’t been an easy one, having to navigate the impacts of COVID-19.

He said the affects had been widely felt and halted many operations and plans Council had on the drawing board.

He hoped for a more streamlined approach this time around, with less disruption and restrictions as a result of COVID-19.

Looking to the future, Cr Doolan said one of the first items on the agenda for Council members came in the form of the Inland Rail Project, with a meeting to be held with executives in the coming weeks.

“We want to see what benefits our area will receive as a result,” Cr Doolan said.

“The town of Baradine and the businesses there should benefit from the people it will bring to town, but the construction phase will also benefit the entire Shire with the hope they utilise different businesses here.

“At this stage you don’t have to be a massive multi-million dollar business. If you’re an operator with one or two machines you can get a look in as well.”

Cr Iannuzzi shared the mayor’s excitement with the incoming Council representatives and believed it was the best he had seen in his 25 years as a resident.

“On paper, the first impression is it’s the best Council in a long time," Cr Iannuzzi said.

“There’s a good spread across the community.

“I think there was a mood in the community for a bit of a generational change and that’s what we got.”

The deputy mayor described his previous term in one word - “frustrating”. “We had the distraction of what was happening in Dunedoo - with the (Three Rivers) court case,” Cr Iannuzzi said. “There were a lot of distractions and a lot of it was damage control and risk management.

“And, of course, there was COVID-19 and all the distractions that came with it.”

Looking forward, Cr Iannuzzi said one of the agendas on the top of his list was “making the Council process more efficient and customer friendly.”

He said he also wanted Council to help stimulate business and see more investment in town by taking advantage of the small real estate boom and to make the place more appealing for people and businesses to move here.

While he admitted it wasn’t a widely popular viewpoint, Cr Iannuzzi said he would also be keeping a look out for opportunities to amalgamate councils.

“I accept this isn’t widely supported; it’s certainly not on the Council’s agenda and not something they are looking at,” he said.

“Personally, this is just a thought I have had and I think there could be many ways our town could benefit.

“I think it’s important to be creative, have an open mind and have different perspectives in these positions.”