Walcha has a new mayor after Eric Noakes stepped down from the top job after a decade in the chair, handing the reins to Hyde Thomson at Wednesday afternoon’s council meeting.
Cr Noakes, who has been mayor since September 2016, says he will stay on council for the rest of his term but is looking forward to retirement, including more time with his wife Sheree and their grandchildren.
“I think it’d be disrespectful of the community to walk away,” Cr Noakes said.
The 66 year old said he and Sheree would assess how long they keep their 500-hectare farm, with an eye to helping their children with the cost of housing.
“I love the farm, love getting back to it,” he said.
“But you know, we don’t want this multi-million-dollar asset while our kids struggle to pay off their house when they’ve got little kids.”
Councillors thanked Cr Noakes for his service and dedication to the community.
“Being a small rural community it is a demanding role. It means being available, having difficult conversations, making decisions that will not be popular, and continuing to turn up because you care about the people you represent,” Cr Glen O’Brien said.
Cr Anne-Marie Pointing, the longest-serving councillor under Cr Noakes’ leadership, said it had not always been smooth.
“There’s been some rough seas to navigate over this time, as we know, and thank you for always making the time for those open, honest, and frank conversations we have had,” she said.
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan also congratulated Cr Noakes on a stellar career as mayor.
“Since September 2016, Walcha has been incredibly fortunate to have Eric Noakes as Mayor,” Mr Moylan said.
“Over the past decade, they have helped guide Walcha through some extraordinary challenges, including drought, bushfires, floods, COVID, the renewable energy debate, the demolition derby disaster and even a tornado.”
“Public service is not easy, and it often comes with sacrifices that aren’t seen by the wider community.”
New Deputy Mayor and questions for the old one
Rachel Greig was also elected unopposed as deputy mayor after Glen O’Brien decided not to stand again. Both she and Thompson will serve until September 2028.
“I believe it’s important that we all get a chance to take this role on,” Cr O’Brien said.
“Sharing that responsibility helps us build stronger council alongside open and transparent decision making.”
Cr O’Brien’s decision comes as questions are being asked about his new tourism venture, Walcha Adventure Co.
The business created chatter online in September after banners appeared on main street fencing reading “Sponsored by”, followed by the Walcha Council logo and the Walcha Adventure Co logo, making it look like the council was sponsoring the business.
The council has confirmed it is paying for half of the hoarding.
“Regarding Walcha Adventure Co, Council has agreed to contribute 50 per cent towards promotional hoarding around the former craft shop site, a prominent building where construction will occur,” a council spokesperson said.
“The hoarding promotes Walcha and its tourism attractions.”
Questions are also being asked about why Cr O’Brien did not declare a conflict of interest when he voted on the future of tourism in Walcha in May.
In April, Cr O’Brien became sole director of Walcha Adventure Company Pty Ltd. At the Wednesday, 27 May meeting, he voted in closed council to endorse a report on “Tourism Services Future Direction”, with no declaration of interest recorded.
Cr O’Brien confirmed his new business involved tourism, but said “I reject the suggestion that I failed to meet my disclosure obligations.”ย
The Council spokesperson said the report concerned the future of the Walcha Visitor Information Centre and its direction of the delivery of tourism, and was considered in closed session because it dealt with personnel matters.
“Council does not comment on individual Councillors’ conflict of interest declarations,” the spokesperson said. “Under the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW, identifying and declaring conflicts is each Councillor’s responsibility.”
More challenges ahead
The demands and scrutiny of leading council in a small community now fall on other shoulders. Cr Noakes backed his successor, whose father was also a Walcha councillor.
“Hyde’s probably the only person I would like to see it handed over to,” he said.
Mayor Thomson said the new leadership faced a difficult road.
“Please be assured that I share Eric’s passion and love for our great little town. Thank you, Eric, for your dedication, courage, and passion in leading our great community for the last 10 plus years.
“Just to the wider Walcha community, we have some very demanding and controversial issues cannoning towards us currently,” he said.
“Please be assured, all of us here are working very, very hard for you to adapt and implement change that we believe will take a resilient and united Walcha into the future.”
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