BATHURST'S two longest serving councillors have thrashed out a deal set that's set to make Bobby Bourke the region's new mayor this week.
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Cr Ian North has confirmed he plans to withdraw from a four-way race for mayor and instead run for deputy mayor when nominations are called on Wednesday night.
Councillors Bourke and North were both elected to council in 2004 and have had a chequered relationship over that time.
However, they settled any differences during a long meeting on Friday that ended with Cr Bourke in the box seat to become the next mayor.
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Cr Alex Christian also says he will support Cr Bourke for mayor while the incumbent, Graeme Hanger, told the Western Advocate on Sunday that "at this stage" he was not planning to nominate for another term in the region's top job.
Cr Warren Aubin is also expected to support Cr Bourke, and possibly Cr Jacqui Rudge.
But, in the most telling indication that Cr Bourke is not quite home and hosed, Cr Hanger also restated his preference that "the status quo remain" until full council elections in September 2020.
"We'll just have to wait and see what happens on Wednesday," Cr Hanger said.
It came down to Jess [Jennings] and Bobby, and Bobby has come out on top.
- Cr Alex Christian
Cr North said his priority was to be part of a nine-member council that was working well together.
He said he had been impressed by Cr Bourke's determination to recognise and utilise the respective strengths of each councillor.
"He actually surprised me because he has actually been listening to a lot of what I have been saying over the years," Cr North said.
"Things like council's communication with the public and infrastructure issues - I've been barking on about these for years."
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Cr North also said he wanted to see an Aboriginal liaison position created within council to work with local indigenous communities on planning and cultural issues.
"Bob said he would like me to lead the charge on that and I would be honoured to do it," he said.
Cr Christian said it was time for change at the top and he believed Cr Bourke had the numbers to become mayor.
"It came down to Jess [Jennings] and Bobby, and Bobby has come out on top," Cr Christian said.
"I get on quite well with Bobby. He communicates with me and keeps me in the loop which is more than I can say about Jess."
Cr Christian said Cr Hanger was a "great fella" but they did not see eye-to-eye on a number of council issues.
"I feel a bit sorry for him because when Bobby, Ian and Jess all put their hand up to oppose Graeme I thought it was a terrible look, it was like a vote of no confidence," he said.
"But Graeme was against the CCTV and against the roundabout at West Bathurst so they were issues we didn't agree on."
Cr Bourke said he now had the numbers to be mayor and he had put his trust in a number of colleagues to keep to their word.
"Those who are saying they are voting for me, I just hope they keep to that," he said.