Bill Saravinovski has been elected as the first mayor of the new Bayside Council.
The result was a return to the past for the new council with Councillor Saravinovski previously acting as mayor for the former Rockdale Council.
It was the first time the new council had met after the amalgamation of the former Rockdale and Botany Bay Councils.
Family and friends watched on as the 15 new councillors swore an oath during the first meeting on Wednesday night.
There were only two nominations for the mayoral position- Labor’s Bill Saravinovski and Independent Liz Barlow.
Councillors could choose between three voting methods- a preferential secret ballot, an ordinary secret ballot or open voting by show of hands.
The vote was done by ordinary ballot which sees each Councillor required to simply place an “X” against the candidate of their choice.
Councillor Saravinovski won the ballot 10 votes to five.
Liberal Paul Sedrak and Labor’s Joe Awada were both nominated for the Deputy Mayor position.
Councillor Awada was elected after a secret ordinary ballot.
