New mayor Bobby Bourke hopes he can unite his fellow councillors in the wake of the mayoral election.
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Tensions have been brewing between councillors, Alex Christian and Jess Jennings in particular, as a result of the campaign for the city's top job and subsequent result.
Cr Bourke said it certainly hasn't been an easy two weeks, but he is hopeful that councillors will be able to move forward cohesively, especially as "there are more important issues" for council to address.
"I just hope to keep talking to the councillors. I know that there are a couple that don't like that I'm in this role, but there are a group that do," he said.
"It will take a bit of time. There is no magic wand that will make everyone move on, but if we do work together I can see better things for the Bathurst community."
Deputy mayor Ian North has a similar perspective.
While affirming that he has no problems with any of his colleagues, he said it was important they all commit to work together, regardless of any disagreements.
"Life doesn't happen the way you want it and when you get into a job, whether it's mayor or a sporting team, you don't always have a perfect relationship with everyone, but I think that is a good thing because you get all these different views," Cr North said, adding that people had to support the new mayor.
"You've got to respect that decision and you've got to move on."
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He stressed that it was crucial for council to always look forward, not back.
"This city is too important. We only look back when we're looking at our history and our culture," he said.
In his leadership, Cr Bourke hopes to utilise the individual strengths of each councillor to achieve better results for the community.
"A lot of these other councillors have strengths out there that I don't have and can help the community with," he said.
He shared with the Western Advocate what he believes some of their strengths are:
- Warren Aubin - is "down to Earth" and can easily identify and raise issues with parking, roads and businesses.
- Alex Christian - brings "new life and youth into the council chambers".
- John Fry - can raise environmental issues, particularly with parks and water.
- Graeme Hanger - has a lot of advice to offer after being mayor and has a lot of experience with sporting and community groups.
- Jess Jennings - has a lot of knowledge around agriculture and issues affecting farmers.
- Monica Morse - has mayoral experience, committed to heritage and is "very community-minded".
- Ian North - is very knowledgeable about Bathurst and has 16 years experience as a councillor.
- Jacqui Rudge - is committed to heritage and the arts.
When asked if, in 12 months time, councillors would be working cohesively, Cr Bourke was optimistic that they would be.
