Bayside Council has elected a new mayor for the remaining nine weeks of its current term.
Former long-term mayor, Councillor Bill Saravinovski returns to the mayoral chair, replacing Cr Joe Awada.
Councillor Saravinovski will take over the reins until the December 4 local government election.
Cr Saravinovski was nominated by Councillors Ed McDougall, Tarek Ibrahim and Dorothy Rapsardi.
Cr Michael Nagi was elected deputy mayor. He was nominated by Councillors Ron Bezic and Vicki Poulos.
No other nominations were received for either position.
Cr Awada had the support of the independents but it is believed that the Labor caucus supported Cr Saravinovski by 5:2 votes.
The election of mayor was necessary as under the Local Government Act with the council required to elect a Mayor in September 2021 which is the end of the current two-year mayoral term.
This will create the situation where Cr Saravinovski will preside over council's decision-making process for only a month before the council goes into caretaker mode before the election.
Outgoing deputy mayor James Macdonald praised Cr Aawda for his record as mayor.
"You have been an excellent ambassador thorugh the difficulties of the pandemic and shown true leadershipo," Cr Macdonald said.
Cr Liz Barlow thanked Cr Awada for his time as mayor during an extemely difficult two years.
"The residents are very appreciative of your serivce," she said.
Cr Barlow abstained from voting for both mayor and deputy mayor desribting it as "ridiculous" that they were voting for the mayor and deputy mayor for a term of nine weeks.
