COMPLETION of Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park complex and the Pyramid Hill streetscape project had been big ticket infrastructure achievements for Loddon Shire in the past year.
Outgoing mayor Gavan Holt highlighted the multi-million dollar projects in his report presented at Tuesday’s special meeting of council to swear in himself and Dan Straub, Nick Angelo, David Weaver and Miki Wilson who were elected to four-year terms last month.
Cr Holt said council’s planning scheme supported population and economic growth in shire communities,
And he said the new economic development strategy adopted during his term as mayor would help guide the council in future decisions.
Cr Holt said one of the biggest challenges for economic development would be housing.
He also said that finances determined what money councils could spend.
“There is never enough money to around to do everything you want,” Cr Holt said. “It’s about prioritising  ... working with the community to develop and understand their priorities.”
Cr Holt thanked colleagues on the previous council and shire staff for their support during his term.
Chief executive officer Lincoln Fitzgerald presented a memento gavel to Cr Holt to mark his year in the mayor’s chair.