Central Darling Shire's newest councillor has wasted no time making his mark, with Daniel Fusi unanimously elected as Deputy Chair in one of the first orders of business at Wednesday's inaugural council meeting.

The Ward C representative, who was declared elected uncontested in September's historic election, received the full support of his five fellow councillors in a vote that signals the collaborative approach the new council intends to take as it navigates the challenges ahead.

Fusi's appointment to the deputy role is particularly significant given his position as one of the three locally elected councillors on the six-member body. His unanimous election demonstrates the confidence both the elected and appointed councillors have in his ability to support Chairperson Bob Stewart in leading the shire's transition out of administration. The Deputy Chair role carries substantial responsibility in a council covering 53,511 square kilometres, an area the size of Tasmania. Fusi will be called upon to chair meetings in Stewart's absence, represent the council at community events across the shire's far-flung towns, and help guide decision making on everything from infrastructure priorities to community services. For Fusi, who stood for election knowing he would be part of NSW's first Rural and Remote Council, the deputy chairmanship represents both an honour and a challenge. The unique governance model, combining elected and appointed councillors, is untested territory, and much will depend on the working relationships established in these early months. The other elected councillors, Peter Sullivan from Ward A and Max Bradley from Ward B, join Fusi in bringing grassroots community perspectives to council deliberations. Sullivan and Bradley both campaigned successfully in their respective wards, earning the trust of voters who hadn't had the opportunity to choose their local representatives since 2012. Alongside the elected trio sit the three appointed councillors, each bringing specialised expertise deemed essential for the council's success. Stewart, transitioning from his role as administrator, provides continuity and deep institutional knowledge of the shire's operations and challenges. His 40 years in local government, including six years steering Central Darling through fish kills, drought, floods and the lengthy administration period, gives him unparalleled understanding of what the shire needs. Fiona Kelly, Executive Principal of Menindee Central School and a proud Barkindji and Ngiyampaa woman, brings cultural knowledge and educational leadership that will prove invaluable as the council works to serve its diverse communities. Kelly's roots in the shire run deep, having attended Menindee Central as a student herself before returning to lead the school and drive positive changes. The Honourable Barbara Perry rounds out the appointed contingent with her extensive parliamentary experience, legal background and previous ministerial responsibilities including a stint as Minister for Local Government. Perry's knowledge of government processes and her ability to navigate state bureaucracy could prove crucial as the council seeks to maximise support and funding opportunities. The unanimous vote for Fusi as Deputy Chair suggests these six very different councillors, coming from varied backgrounds and chosen through different processes, are committed to working together effectively. That spirit of collaboration will be tested repeatedly as they tackle the immense challenges facing Central Darling Shire. The shire's geographic vastness makes service delivery inherently difficult and expensive. Maintaining roads across hundreds of kilometres, ensuring water quality in multiple towns, supporting widely dispersed communities and managing aging infrastructure all require careful prioritisation and creative problem solving. Add to this the shire's limited rate base, legacy infrastructure deficits and the socioeconomic challenges facing many remote communities, and the scale of the task becomes clear. The NSW Government's commitment of six million dollars over two years provides crucial breathing room, but the council will need to demonstrate it can achieve financial sustainability beyond that initial support period. Every decision they make in these early months will help determine whether the Rural and Remote Council model proves viable for Central Darling and potentially other remote councils facing similar challenges. For Fusi, the deputy role means stepping up at a pivotal moment in the shire's history. His performance, and that of his colleagues, will shape not just Central Darling's future but potentially the future of local government in remote NSW. That would be a heavy responsibility for any council, but for one just finding its feet after 12 years without elected representation, the stakes are particularly high. Wednesday's unanimous vote was more than just the election of a Deputy Chair. It was a statement of intent from six councillors determined to prove that this new model of governance can work, that elected and appointed members can collaborate effectively, and that Central Darling Shire's best days lie ahead rather than behind.