UPDATED SEPTEMBER 22:
COUNCILLOR Shane O'Brien said he would continue to push for more investment in capital works projects as part of his third term as Rockdale mayor.
The ALP councillor, who won in a unanimous vote, said he was proud of what the council had achieved during the past year.
"In the past 12 months we have entered into a contract to build a new central library; that has been 30 years coming and this council made it happen," he said.
"We've refurbished the town hall in this term and we're moving this city forward.
‘‘I think we have plenty of work to do but I’m proud of how we’ve got through some very difficult and some very complex projects, the likes Rockdale has not undertaken before.’’
He said his next project would be the sale of land in Chapel Street and smaller projects that would benefit the whole community.
"We're investing $80 million in capital works projects," he said.
"That's a far cry from when I started in 2008 [when] our capital works program involved $4 million on a car park for a restaurant."
Independent Liz Barlow was re-elected to a third term as deputy mayor.
"I've been at council for 19 years and in the last few years we've really been moving forward," she said.
"The refurbishment of town hall earlier this year has been a real highlight but in the next 12 months I'd really like to see the Bexley pool up and running."
The six Liberal councillors were absent from the vote.
Independent councillor Michael Nagi was absent too but he was granted leave before the meeting.
Cr O’Brien said the absence of Liberal councillors showed disrespect to the community.
‘‘It bothers me that the reputation of Rockdale is being jeopardised by these people,’’ he said.
‘‘They pass business papers that look at investing in the city, then refuse to make a decision.
‘‘That is a very poor look and reflects poorly on these councillors.’’
What do you think of Cr Shane O’Brien being returned as Rockdale mayor?