Before the September local council elections, the make-up of Rous County Council (Rous) was high on the discussion list for those concerned about water security in the Northern Rivers.

Two councillors were nominated from each of the constituent councils during their respective first council meetings, that is, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley.

At Rous' first meeting (since the elections) on Wednesday (30 October 2024), the eight recently elected councillors who have been appointed to serve as its governing body for a four-year term were welcomed.

They are Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Eva Ramsey, Cr Sarah Ndiaye, Cr Elia Hauge, Cr Andrew Gordon, Cr Steve Krieg, Cr Robert Mustow and Cr Sandra Humphrys.

“On behalf of Rous, I am pleased to welcome the councillors who form our governing body this term,” said Phillip Rudd, General Manager, Rous.

(The new look Rous County Councillors with the Rous Management team)

“Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Sarah Ndiaye, Cr Andrew Gordon, Cr Robert Mustow and Cr Sandra Humphrys have returned this term, and I look forward to continuing our productive collaboration.

“Cr Eva Ramsey, Cr Elia Hauge and Cr Steve Krieg have been newly appointed. I trust their insights, local knowledge, and business acumen will be valuable to Rous and the community we serve.”

At the Council Meeting, the group elected Cr Robert Mustow as Chairperson and Cr Sharon Cadwallader as Deputy Chairperson of Rous’ governing body for the first two years of the term – both served in the same positions last term.

“I am proud to have been appointed as Chair once again by my fellow councillors,” said Cr Robert Mustow, Rous Chair and Richmond Valley Council Mayor.

“I will continue to represent our community with integrity on important decisions relating to water, weed biosecurity and rural flood mitigation.”

At the Council Meeting, Cr Elia Hauge was appointed as the primary non-voting member for the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee, and Cr Sarah Ndiaye as the alternative non-voting member.

Rous’ governing body also elected Cr Sarah Ndiaye as the Chair of the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group, and Cr Elia Hauge as the alternative Chair.

The role of the councillors serving on Rous’ governing body is to represent their constituent councils and make decisions that are in the best interests of the region Rous serves.