THE way is now clear for Deputy Mayor of the Bass Coast Shire Council, Cr Rochelle Halstead, to take the top job at this Wednesday’s council meeting.

Cr Halstead officially declared herself a candidate some weeks ago, but on Friday last week, the present incumbent Cr Michael Whelan declared his two-year innings over.

“After two years, this is my final Mayor’s Message as I come to the end of my term as mayor,” said Cr Whelan in his last weekly message.

Cr Whelan made his thank yous in the message, including that he has been “constantly in awe of the volunteers and the small business operators… who are the soul and heart of the Bass Coast” but there’s little doubt he considers the Berninneit project, opened just prior to the Melbourne Cup Weekend, as his crowning achievement.

“As I look back, I must admit to becoming a little bit emotional around last month’s opening of the Berninneit Cultural Centre at Cowes.

“Berninneit will stand proud as a testament to cultural aspiration and as commitment to excellence and reconciliation for decades to come,” he said.

But, it’s onwards and upwards now to the first item of business at this Wednesday’s council meeting, the election of the new mayor.

Cr Halstead, a former mayor of the City of Frankston, is clearly the frontrunner, and likely to get at least five of the council’s nine votes.

It is understood that she will be nominated for the post by newly returned councillor Cr Geoff Ellis with Crs Bauer, Larke, Tessari and Halstead to vote in support.

There has been some talk during the week that Cr Clare Le Serve, the shire’s mayor from October 2012 to October 2013, may also be a candidate, and she could expect to get support from Crs Laing, Rooks and possibly Whelan, although Cr Whelan has previously encouraged Cr Halstead to stand.

Cr Le Serve could instead take the role of Deputy Mayor in the last year of what is believed to be her last of three terms as a councillor.

In closing out his two years as mayor, Cr Whelan thanked his fellow councillors and shire staff.

“None of these achievements would have been achieved without a committed Council and the many immensely capable and dedicated officers, volunteers and you, the community.”