At least six new mayors with have been voted to Western Plains councils, with only Lachlan Shire yet to decide their leaders.

Warren, Narromine, Coonamble, Bourke, Warrumbungle and Brewarrina councillors have elected fresh faces to the top job.

With one vacancy still remaining, Lachlan Council needs to hold a by-election in November to fill the seat before councillors can vote on leadership.

Warren

PHOTO: Western Plains App

Farmer Greg Whiteley replaces long-serving councillor Milton Quigley as Mayor.

Mr Quigley who did not recontest in the September local government elections.

Cr Whiteley was elected unopposed and has been on the council from 2021.

Sarah Derrett was also re-elected as Deputy Mayor.

Former Mayor Quigley, who served six years in the role, said he is optimistic about the shire's future.

"Their (councillors) commitment to serving our community will undoubtedly drive forward our shared goals and improve the quality of life for all residents,” he said.

Coonamble

Mayor Dan Keady and Deputy Mayor Steven Butler. PHOTO: The Coonamble Times

A two-person contest between Dan Keady and Karen Churchill saw Cr Keady win 8-1 via secret ballot.

The vote for Deputy was one of the most hotly contested in the Western Plains, with Marg Garnsey, Paul Wheelhouse, Steven Butler and Cr Churchill throwing their hat in the ring.

Cr Butler, a businessman and local hardware store manager, will take up the role during his first stint on council.

Cr Keady is heading into his second term, although non-consecutive, on council, and this will be his first time as leader of the chamber.

“I am honoured to be elected as the Mayor and look forward to working hard with all Councillors to deliver effective services for the community," Cr Keady said.

"Our first meeting was very productive and showed clearly the wide range of activities and initiatives we need to work together to implement, as well as challenges to overcome.”

Brewarrina

The new term's councilors with senior staff. PHOTO: Brewarrina Shire Council

Former Mayor Vivian Slack-Smith will be serving as Deputy Mayor, after two terms in the top job.

The lead role has gone to Tommy Stanton, who becomes the second First Nations mayor to lead the council.

“In my past 10 years serving on council, I have been incredibly proud of our community’s growth and resilience," Cr Stanton said.

"As Mayor, I am committed to and look forward to building on this growth and I am excited to be a part of shaping our modern and vibrant future, one we are all proud to call home."

“Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility.”

Walgett

PHOTO: Western Plains App

Collarenebri-raised Jasen Ramien returns unopposed as Mayor via secret ballot.

The earthmoving business runner was elected as a councillor in the 2021 local government election and replaced Walgett's outgoing first female Mayor Jane Kier in September 2023.

He'll join returning Deputy Mayor Greg Rummery, who faced Pauline Kearl in a contest for the role.

“Being elected by my peers to lead the Council again is a great honour, and I hope I will prove worthy of their trust in me,” Cr Ramien said.

“I am also pleased to have Cr Greg Rummery as my Deputy Mayor and I believe we will continue to work together with the rest of the councillors to represent the communities we serve."

Bourke

Businessman Lachlan Ford takes over from Barry Hollmann as Mayor.

Cr Ford, who took over as Manager in 2022 at the Bourke Bowling Club, won the ballot 7-3 from Maxime Nina through a show of hands.

Fellow re-elected councillor Sally Davis was elected unopposed as Deputy. 

Narromine

Narromine Deputy Mayor Stacey Bohm and Mayor Ewen Jones. IMAGE: Narromine Shire Council

Both Mayor and Deputy Mayor roles were contested and decided by a show of hands.

Former Fire and Rescue NSW captain Ewen Jones headed off fellow re-elected councillor Les Lambert in the mayoral contest.

Cr Lambert also threw his hat in the ring for the Deputy role but was outvoted by Stacey Bohm.

Cr Jones replaces Craig Davies as Mayor, who was also returned as a sitting councillor.

Bogan

Staff and new councillors for Bogan Shire. PHOTO: Bogan Shire Council.

Glen Neill was elected for his second term as Mayor after securing almost 35 per cent of first preference votes in the general election.

Second-termer Karl Bright took the second most first-preference votes - about 11 per cent - and will join him as Deputy.

Former Deputy Victoria Boag chose not to stand for her old role, so both men were elected uncontested.

Gilgandra

Gilgandra Deputy Mayor Ash Walker and Mayor Doug Batten. IMAGE: Gilgandra Shire Council

The council remains largely unchanged after the September elections and it was the same for the mayoral votes.

Doug Batten was unanimously returned unopposed as Mayor, as was Deputy Mayor Ash Walker.

This will be Cr Batten's 16th year in the role, while Cr walker will serve his 13th consecutive year as Deputy.

Cobar   

PHOTO: Western Plains App

No general election was held in Cobar in September due to insufficient candidates registering to contest the 12 seats.

That meant that the mayoral vote could happen earlier than most other shires, with Mayor Jarred Marsden and Deputy Michael Prince elected unopposed.

Warrumbungle

PHOTO: Western Plains App

The shire also didn't hold an election due to lack of candidates.

Kathryn Rindfleish takes over from former councillor Ambrose Doolan as Mayor, while Jason Newton joins her as Deputy.