Coonamble Shire Council has made history with their decision on Wednesday 13 September to elect two deputy mayors.

Throughout the state this month local governments are holding the required Mayoral elections and, while the position of Deputy Mayor is optional, most councils traditionally opt to fill the position.

However this time around Coonamble has taken the unheard of step of appointing not one but two deputies.

Elections proceeded as usual at the September meeting, with Cr Tim Horan retaining his Mayoral position in a secret ballot.

There were three candidates for the position of Deputy Mayor, being Crs Terry Lees, Adam Cohen and Bill Fisher.

Cr Lees withdrew his nomination before voting began and, with the resignation of Cr Karanouh accepted earlier in the meeting leaving an even number of councillors, the vote between Crs Cohen and Fisher was tied.

Council then followed the traditional method of using a 'draw from the hat' to determine the successful candidate.

The draw was held and Cr Fisher was announced as the new Deputy Mayor.

PHOTO: Bill Fisher

However a misunderstanding about whether the winner was the first drawn or the one remaining in the bucket meant council had to review the decision.

During the Closed Session that followed, the councillors resolved the situation by agreeing to appoint both candidates, effectively creating two deputy mayor positions until the September 2024 elections. 

Crs Fisher and Cohen agreed to the arrangement.

"The staff checked and there's no issue with having two deputies," Cr Horan said. "They are both very good councillors and very committed.

"I think it's an important role and I think it's a great move, especially while we have less councillors, it will help share the workload but I don't see it as an ongoing thing."

According to Local Government NSW, the role of a deputy mayor is to perform 'any function of the Mayor at the request of the Mayor or if the Mayor is prevented by illness, absence or otherwise from exercising the function or if there is a casual vacancy in the office of Mayor.'