From left, Deputy Mayor Cr Meredith Dennis OAM, Mayor Cr Reece Byrnes and Acting General Manager Naomi Searle following the election of Council's new leadership team today. Photo Orion Media Group.
A new leadership team will guide Tweed Shire Council, with councillors electing Cr Reece Byrnes as Mayor and Cr Meredith Dennis OAM as Deputy Mayor at a Council Meeting this morning.
Cr Byrnes, who most recently served as Deputy Mayor, takes on the role of Mayor after serving on Council since his election in 2016. At the time, he was the youngest Councillor ever elected to Tweed Shire Council. Prior to the most recent term, Cr Byrnes was Deputy Mayor from 2017 to 2018 and from 2020 to 2022, serving a total of 5 terms since his election.
Cr Dennis OAM was elected to Tweed Shire Council in 2021 and has served as Deputy Mayor 3 times previously including most recently from 2024 to 2025.
Cr Byrnes said he is honoured to be entrusted with the leadership role and looks forward to working collaboratively with Councillors, staff and the community.
"It is a real privilege to be elected Mayor of the Tweed. I stand ready with the energy and experience to serve our community as Mayor and steer us through the challenges ahead."
Cr Byrnes acknowledged the contribution of outgoing Mayor Cr Chris Cherry and thanked her for her service and dedication to the role.
"Mayor Cherry led our community through two devastating floods, the COVID-19 pandemic and some of the most unprecedented local challenges in living memory. Her time in public office will be remembered for its dignity, grace and compassion," he said.
Cr Byrnes' family has lived in the Tweed since the 1960s and he currently lives in Murwillumbah.
Tweed Shire Council Acting General Manager Naomi Searle congratulated both Cr Byrnes and Cr Dennis on their appointments and said Council staff look forward to a productive relationship with the new leadership team.
Ms Searle also acknowledged Cr Cherry's advocacy for the Tweed at state and federal level over her 6 years as Mayor. Through the recovery from the 2022 floods and Cyclone Alfred, Cr Cherry kept the experiences of the Tweed's residents, businesses and staff in front of state and national governments. As Chair of the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation and Deputy Chair of Regional Capitals Australia, and through the 2022 Minister's Award for Women in Local Government and the 2023 Climate Ambassador Award, she raised the Shire's standing nationally.
That advocacy helped deliver one of the largest flood restoration and resilience programs in Council's history, the Tweed Conservation Strategy, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and the Industry Central land swap, the first of its kind in Australia, now home to Council's new works depot and a new animal management facility. Together this work has set the Shire up for a more resilient future.
"On behalf of Council staff, I thank Cr Cherry on her service as Mayor and warmly congratulate Cr Byrnes on his election as Mayor and Cr Dennis OAM on her election as Deputy Mayor. We look forward to working closely with them and all Councillors to continue delivering high-quality services and positive outcomes for the Tweed community," Ms Searle said.
Ms Searle also recognised Cr Cherry's advocacy on the Industry Central land swap, the first of its kind in Australia, and said her work had raised the Shire's profile nationally and helped set it up for a more resilient future.
Cr Byrnes identified housing, water security and essential services as Council's immediate priorities.
"Our focus must be on the here and now and what changes we can make for tomorrow. Tweed Shire has essential and non-negotiable projects in the pipeline that carry significant price tags. Water security is just one.
"We must ensure people can afford to live here, access the services they need and find good local jobs with secure housing.
"It's time to move past the distractions and deliver these projects with responsible leadership and within our means.
"My job is to deliver that for every resident and ratepayer and keep building upon the strong foundation our recovery efforts have gone towards," Cr Byrnes said.
The next Council meeting with the new leadership team in place will be on Thursday 22 October at the Murwillumbah Council Chambers.
Newly elected Mayor Cr Reece Byrnes says his focus is on ensuring people can afford to live in the Tweed, access the services they need and find good local jobs.
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Photo 1: Tweed Shire Council's new leadership team
Caption: From left, Deputy Mayor Cr Meredith Dennis OAM, Mayor Cr Reece Byrnes and Acting General Manager Naomi Searle following the election of Council's new leadership team today. Photo Orion Media Group.
Photo 2: Cr Chris Cherry congratulates newly elected Mayor Cr Reece Byrnes
Caption: Outgoing Mayor Cr Chris Cherry congratulates newly elected Mayor Cr Reece Byrnes in the Council Chambers, Tweed Heads, after 6 years in the role. Photo Orion Media Group.
Photo 3: Newly elected Mayor Cr Reece Byrnes
Caption: Newly elected Mayor Cr Reece Byrnes says his focus is on ensuring people can afford to live in the Tweed, access the services they need and find good local jobs.
Connection to Council's Community Strategic Plan:
