REDLAND City councillors have officially stepped into their roles, having been sworn into council at a ceremony on Monday.
It was followed by a post-election meeting which saw Division 6 councillor Julie Talty elected deputy mayor.
Only Division 4 Cr Lance Hewlett and Division 1 Cr Wendy Boglary voting against her appointment.
Councillor Talty said it was an honour to take up the role.
"I thank my fellow Councillors for the trust they have placed in me through this appointment and look forward to serving the entire Redlands Coast community on a more holistic level.
"It is a privilege to step up at a time when elected representatives are called upon to deliver collaborative and creative solutions that may not have been considered before."
Mayor Karen Williams was re-appointed chair of the Local Disaster Management Group.
The swearing-in ceremony at the Redlands Performing Arts Centre is usually attended by a crowd of residents but was a quiet affair this year, with COVID-19 social distancing measures in place.
Councillors used their time during the ceremony to thank their families, friends and supporters during the tough campaign period.
These included newcomers Rowanne McKenzie in Division 7 and Adelia Berridge in Division 9.
Cr Williams said it would be a steep learning curve.
"When you come from the outside with a view of what will happen on the inside, things do change dramatically and you understand the constraints and the legislation you have to abide by to deliver for the community," she said.
The mayor - who is serving her third term in the job - said councillors had to put aside individual commitments and promises made during the election to help the community through the troubling times.
"We cannot tackle the challenge ahead of us as individuals," she said.
"The task ahead of us now is very different to the one that presented itself at the beginning of the election campaign.
"As this situation unfolds it will undoubtedly change again. Like all other communities we are being tested in a way we have never before encountered.
"COVID won't be there forever but then it's looking at those projects that will define our city into the future, making sure that we remain on the regional, state and federal map."
