Cr Conkey and deputy mayor Dallas Tout were both re-elected during Monday night’s meeting with six votes out of a possible nine.

Wagga’s previous council leaders will now continue for another two-year term.

Cr Tout said the council had to manage infrastructure around Wagga’s fast-paced growth, particularly around the northern housing developments.

Cr Conkey said Wagga would be one of regional NSW’s most exciting cities with an estimated $1.5 billion in new investment over the next eight years and a plan to grow to 100,000 residents by 2038.

“The number one priority is to get the levee completed and we’re in the process now in looking for tenders for stage two,” Cr Conkey said.

“The main city levee has always been a priority; we have to secure the safety of the CBD.

“Stage one is in the process of being completed and stage two is complete that levee from Wiradjuri Bridge to Marshalls Creek behind the CBD and Visitor Information Centre.”

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Cr Conkey said the works would take Wagga’s protection from a one-in-60-year flood to a one-in-100-year flood.

Cr Tout said the council needed to focus on areas such as roads, especially with the new Estella school and sport ground taking shape.

“The priority is to hold the (state) government to account for promises made during the Wagga byelection and the election campaign,” he said.

“Library funding is a big ticket item for me.

“It’s becoming even more critical in the second part of our for year term to get the city ready for growth; it’s an interesting challenge with the massive amount of growth.”

Cr Tout said there would be “a world of pain” if roads and sewerage systems were not ready for new residents.

After winning his re-election bid on Monday night, Cr Conkey said two to four years was an ideal time to spend as mayor.

On Tuesday, Cr Conkey said he would maintain a “credible” council.

“We have got a very stable council now, which I am very proud of, and that’s through the hard work of councillors, staff and the general manager,” he said.

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