Cr Hayes was voted to the position on Tuesday night after incumbent mayor Ian Gosper stepped aside.

He said dealing with the Fit for the Future submission, which will set out Cabonne’s plans to remain sustainable, would take much of the council’s attention because talks still had to occur with neighbouring councils.

“At this stage, it’s hard to comment on our Fit for the Future submission because we haven’t received the guidelines and self-assessment tools from the state government,” he said.

While Orange and Cabonne matched each other for sustainability according to NSW Treasury Corporation figures, Wellington and Blayney councils, that partner with Cabonne in the Wellington Blayney Cabonne strategic alliance, did not rate as highly.

Cr Hayes said, while the alliance had saved member councils more than $5.7 million since 2003, it was too early to tell how Cabonne councillors would balance relationships with  neighbours as they considered their own options.

“We need to examine all possibilities - at the end of the day, we need to take the emotion out of it and get the best for the ratepayers,” he said.

However, he did not support the idea of a broader central west joint organisation.

“It’s too big - the smaller rural councils would certainly lose their identities and it’s the first step [to amalgamation],” he said.

“I want to see Cabonne continue to grow and prosper and retain its unique rural lifestyle, which makes it so attractive to people who move here.” 

Cr Hayes said it was important residents did not lose representation or access to councillors.

With the sewerage scheme the main infrastructure project to be pursued this year, Cr Hayes said Cabonne had missed out on a round of government funding, but would soon lodge a second attempt.