ROCKDALE has a new leadership team, with Labor's Shane O'Brien taking over from Bill Saravinovski as mayor and independent councillor Liz Barlow replacing James Macdonald as deputy mayor.
Both were elected unopposed last Wednesday night.
It will be Councillor O'Brien's first stint in the top job, while Cr Barlow will embark on her second term as deputy mayor, having served under former Rockdale mayor Yvonne Bellamy.
Outgoing Labor mayor Bill Saravinovski said he decided not to stand again in order to spend more time with his family.
Cr O'Brien, who represents Fifth Ward, told the Leader he considered it "a really great honour" to be elected to the council's top job.
"It is fantastic. I think it is an opportunity to showcase what the city has to offer," he said.
He said his major priorities were to deliver the upgrade of Bexley pool, begin the construction of a new central library in Rockdale and complete the refurbishment of Rockdale Town Hall.
"I want to make sure that this council doesn't do what previous councils did, which is consult the community and show them every bell and whistle and do nothing," Cr O'Brien said.
He paid tribute to Cr Saravinovski, and previous deputy mayors James Macdonald and Lesa De Leau, and said without their leadership the council would not be in a position to deliver big new projects.
Cr Barlow also said the major projects were her top priority over the next four years.
