By Tim Howard
Cr Peter Johnstone has been officially elected Mayor of the Clarence Valley Council, marking a definitive conclusion to a week of unprecedented administrative turmoil that saw the local government body lose both its mayor and its general manager.
The election took place at a meeting in Maclean on Tuesday afternoon, where councillors gathered under intense scrutiny to resolve the leadership vacuum. The chamber initially moved into a confidential session to deliberate on legal advice regarding the fallout from last Thursday’s botched mayoral ballot.
When proceedings resumed in the open chamber, a proposal by Cr Ray Smith to further defer the election pending additional legal counsel was narrowly defeated 5–4. With the path cleared, three candidates were formally nominated for the top job: Cr Peter Johnstone, Cr Andrew Baker, and Cr Cristie Yager.
In the initial round of voting, Cr Johnstone secured four votes, while Cr Baker received three and Cr Yager two. With Cr Yager eliminated, the council proceeded to a final runoff. In that ballot, Cr Johnstone achieved a decisive 6–3 victory over Cr Baker.
Cr Johnstone’s path to the mayoralty was bolstered by support from a cross-section of the chamber, including Crs Cristie Yager, Lynne Cairns, Greg Clancy, Shane Causley, and Ray Smith, alongside his own vote. Cr Baker’s bid was supported by Crs Debrah Novak and Karen Toms. Cr Johnstone has been declared mayor for the remainder of the term, running until September 2028.
Today’s result serves as a stark correction to the events of one week ago. During that previous attempt to elect a leader, a 4–4 deadlock between Cr Johnstone and then-mayor Ray Smith occurred. Under proper procedure, the tie should have been broken by the drawing of a name. However, the returning officer and then-general manager, Laura Black, provided incorrect advice that led to Mr. Smith being eliminated instead of the draw being held.
In the immediate aftermath, Cr Johnstone—having been incorrectly declared the winner—tendered his resignation the following morning.
The subsequent fallout has been swift and severe. Following a series of extraordinary meetings and the receipt of external legal advice, the council moved to terminate the employment of Ms. Black yesterday.
The election of Cr Johnstone today in his own right, through a clear and verified process, brings a sense of formal closure to a period that has left the community and the council staff reeling. While the administrative leadership of the organisation remains in a state of transition following the departure of the general manager, the council has successfully re-established its political head, allowing the local government to return its focus to the pressing business of the Clarence Valley.
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