Returning for a second term, Milton Quigley has been elected Mayor of the Warren Shire Council at the first meeting of the newest councillors. 

In what has become a shortened term due to the elections postponement, Mr Quigley said there is plenty for the shire to squeeze into the smaller time frame, with infrastructure being at the core.

“I hope to promote Warren Shire Council and deliver the services that we expect to be delivered to a high standard and in an efficient way,” Mayor Quigley said.

“A significant one is the refurbishment at the airport, particularly one of the runways that has been totally rebuilt. There’s a new airport terminal building which is soon to be put in place, a refueling station which is done, and a private hangars estate to be built there,” Mayor Quigley said. 

The new infrastructure will hopefully see Warren acquire a new flying school moving up from Sydney. 

The showground has also been on the receiving end of major upgrades, including an undercover equestrian arena, which is nearing completion. 

“There’s also refurbishment of our swimming pool, a new skate park, and a splash park which has been extremely well received, especially during the summer,” Mayor Quigley said. 

Like many other shires across the Western Plains, heavy floods and truck traffic over the harvest period have left local roads in tatters. 

“We’re just starting on that (repair work) now, it’ll take a bit of time to work through. We’re trying to get some maintenance grading happening on all those (unsealed) roads to get them back up to speed,” Mayor Quigley said. 

With a new council, he is hopeful that it will be a productive term and in welcoming the new councillors onboard at the recent council meeting, Mayor Quigley spoke of the importance of local government. 

“We see results almost immediately, and you can make a real difference to your community,” he said. 

“The new councillors are some really sensible people…I think there’s a degree of enthusiasm having had our first meeting and we look forward to channeling that enthusiasm so that we get some great outcomes,” he said. 

Mayor Quigley will be joined in the role by elected Deputy Mayor Sarah Derrett, who ran for the position unopposed.