Brian Crook returns to Colac Otway council

COLAC Otway Shire mayor Joe McCracken has welcomed the return of Brian Crook to the council, following last week’s VEC countback to fill the extraordinary vacancy left by Terry Woodcroft’s resignation.

Cr McCracken said Mr Crook had accepted the position and would join the existing six councillors once the Returning Officer and Local Government Minister had completed formalities over coming days.

“Brian brings with him a wealth of experience and as a former councillor and mayor will be able to quickly fit back into the organisation and the many tasks we have at hand.

“This council has a bit over two years left in our current term. It’s an exciting time and on behalf of councillors and staff I’d like to congratulate Brian and welcome him back to the council.”

In the countback, votes for Mr Woodcroft from the last election were redistributed to all unsuccessful candidates according to the voters’ preferences.

Any candidate who receives more than 50 per cent of the votes is declared elected. When no candidate received more than 50 per cent of the vote, the candidate with the least votes was excluded and their votes also redistributed. This process continued until Mr Crook was declared elected.

This will be Mr Crook’s fifth term on the council, including two terms as mayor.

Cr McCracken said Mr Crook’s prior experience on a range of projects and focus on relationships would be assets to the council over the next two years.

“Brian was involved with the highway duplication advocacy, the trade training centre, Bluewater redevelopment, Central Reserve resurfacing and off-field facility redevelopment, and a range of other important council projects in recent years,” he said.

“He places great emphasis on building relationships with local community groups as well as regional, state and federal governments.

“I look forward to working alongside Brian over the next two years. There are many challenges and opportunities for Colac Otway Shire council and it is pleasing that the extraordinary vacancy that was created by Terry’s resignation has been filled quickly, we are a council of seven again and it is business as usual.”