For nearly two years, Cr Rob Banham of Emmaville NSW has led Glen Innes Severn Council as its proud Mayor.
Having spent 30 years working in the Australian Steel Industry across the Eastern Seaboard of Australia, in many unique roles, the last position Cr Banham held was business development manager for OneSteel Reinforcing Northern Region, in which he travelled across Queensland, Northern NSW and the Northern Territory.
Sporadically working as a grazier woolgrower on the family property at Emmaville for 17 years, Banham moved permanently to the Glen Innes Severn Council LGA in 2016.
“My aim for Glen Innes Severn Council is to create the operating environment where our rural sector is supported, existing small businesses can thrive, and our local community is where we make the most of emerging industries, such as renewal energy,” Cr Banham said.
“We’re also committed to improving liveability and lifestyle for our residents by delivering projects like the Centennial Parklands Skywalk, the Glen Innes Indoor Sports Centre and significantly upgrading the landscaping of Glen Innes.”
Cr Banham is a council delegate for the Emmaville War Memorial Hall Committee, president and active member of the Emmaville Rural Fire Service (RFS), chairman of the Vegetable Creek MPS LHAC Emmaville Local Health Advisory Committee and consumer member of Hunter New England Health Tableland Sector’s Clinical Quality and Patient Care and Comprehensive Care committees. His interests include wool production, local health care, renewable energies, as well as racing and breeding thoroughbred horses.
With no prior involvement in local government until the 2021 December elections, what initially led Cr Banham to the role as Mayor was the encouragement from his local community; after being approached by community members to see if he would stand.
“I enjoy talking to people. Being able to get things moving while working with our directors and general manager with whom all councillors have a great relationship with is the best part about being a councillor,” Cr Banham said.
“Our community is rich in history, culture and natural beauty, and it’s our mission to preserve and enhance these assets for generations to come. As Mayor, I want to assure the community that I remain committed to making the Glen Innes Severn Council area the best place to live, work and foster a great family life,” he said.
Cr Banham was first elected as Mayor for Glen Innes Severn Council in January 2022 and recently re-elected in September 2023.
“It is with great sense of responsibility and honour to accept the position as the Mayor for another 12 months. Bringing all of our councillors together so we are all on the same page has been a great satisfaction for me, along with the creation of the Coalition of Mayors for the Renewable Energy Zone.”
Cr Banham will lead council through to the next NSW Local Government elections in September 2024.
