ARC Mayoral Vote, Term 2.

New Councillors, Armidale Regional Council.

I am both excited and optimistic for the future of the region following the support of my fellow councillors to represent the community as Mayor. I congratulate Deputy Mayor Todd Redwood - Armidale Regional Council on being elected Deputy Mayor.

This group of councillors is genuinely representative of the wider community and will ensure the range of issues our community cares about are addressed. I believe they will work hard to ensure the community feels well-represented.

This will be a full four-year term and we need to build on the progress we have made over the past two years and strengthen our connections with both the State and Federal Government to secure the financial support we need to implement the growth trajectory we are on.

A key focus of this term will be delivering the Water Security Package. We must explore effective solutions to secure our water future, and depending on the level of Government support, this solution must be sustainable for the region.

We must acknowledge the potential of the New England Renewable Energy Zone (NEREZ) and ensure the region harnesses those benefits for long-term gain. The NEREZ will become a reality over the next four years and whilst it is a State Government driven initiative, and therefore the implementation is out of our hands, we must ensure that we get our fair share of benefits from hosting the infrastructure.

We are committed to sustainable growth, adventure tourism, and job creation as key pillars for the term.

I look forward to working with all councillors to deliver on our election promises for the community.

- Mayor Sam Coupland.