The City of Greater Shepparton’s new councillor, Ben Ladson, took the oath of office on January 19, after he was elected by countback earlier this week.
The countback was held on January 16 after the resignation of former mayor Kim O’Keeffe in November last year, following her election to the state seat of Shepparton District.
Cr Ladson’s election brings Greater Shepparton City Council to the full nine-strong contingent for the first time since Rob Priestly took a leave of absence in January 2021 to run for the Federal Election.
It is Cr Ladson’s first time serving as a councillor and he told the News on Monday his agenda included keeping rates at a “low or conservative” level, and pushing some issues that were not necessarily council’s direct responsibility, such as the bypass.
Cr Ladson is a teacher and owns local business Gamer’s Resort.