The election follows the current mayor Michael Johnsen been successfully elected as the NSW Member for the Upper Hunter in Saturday’s state election. 

Mr Johnsen has announced his intentions to stand down as mayor, but still remain a councillor until next September. 

Upper Hunter Shire Council corporate and community              services director Steve Pryor said the councillors will vote to elect a new mayor at an extraordinary council meeting on Monday, April 27.

He said the newly elected mayor will remain in the position until the annual review of the mayor and deputy mayor at the September council meeting. 

“It may be required that councillors vote for the positions of mayor and deputy mayor, if the current deputy mayor Wayne Bedggood decides to stand for the role of mayor,” he said. 

Cr Bedggood said it would be up to the other councillors to nominate him for the position of mayor, but if they do, he would be happy to take on the role. 

“I have discussed it with my employer and I will be available for the position if I am nominated.

“Should the other councillors wish to put my name in the hat, I will run for the position,” he said. 

Possible likely candidate councillor Lee Watts said she did not intend to stand for the position.

Cr Maurice Collison and Cr Kiwa Fisher have indicated they will be showing an interest in the positions, while the other councillors remain undecided at this stage.