South Australian Consolidated Acts South Australian Consolidated Acts51—Principal member of council
(1) A council may be
constituted—
(a) on
the basis that the principal member is to be appointed 1 or elected as a
representative of the area as a whole (in which case the principal member is
to be called a mayor); or
(b) on
the basis that the principal member is to be chosen by the members of the
council from amongst their own number (in which case the principal member may
be called chairperson (the title used in this Act), or have another title, as
the council decides).
(2) The term of office
of a chairperson must not exceed 4 years.
(3) If a council has a
mayor, there may also be, if the council so resolves, a deputy mayor and if a
council has a chairperson, there may also be, if the council so resolves, a
deputy chairperson.
(4) If there is to be
a deputy mayor or deputy chairperson, he or she will be chosen by the members
of the council from amongst their own number and will hold office for a term
determined by the council.
The term must not exceed 4 years.
(5) On the expiration
of a term of office, a chairperson, deputy mayor or deputy chairperson is
eligible to be chosen for a further term.
(6) In the absence of
the mayor or chairperson, a deputy mayor or deputy chairperson may act in the
office of mayor or chairperson.
(7) If the mayor or
chairperson is absent from official duties and there is no deputy mayor or
deputy chairperson, or the deputy mayor or deputy chairperson is not available
to act in the office of mayor or chairperson, a member chosen by the council
may act in the office of mayor or chairperson during the relevant period.
(8) If a person is to
be chosen by the members of the council to fill an office under this section
and the votes for two or more candidates for the office are equal, lots must
be drawn to determine which candidate or candidates will be excluded.
(9) The mayor of the
City of Adelaide is entitled to the rank and title of Lord Mayor.
(10) In the event of a
casual vacancy in the office of mayor, subsections (6) and (7) operate
subject to any appointment made by the council under section 54(8).
Note—
1 An appointment may occur under section 10
of this Act or section 8 of the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999 .