Cr Ismay's nomination received the support of outgoing mayor Cr Rob Gersch and the newly-elected Brett Ireland - representing a majority of the councillors present at the statutory meeting on Wednesday night.

An empty seat remains at Council, after only former mayor Debra Nelson nominated for election in the East Ward.

A by-election is due in early 2021 to fill the vacant position.

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Cr Debra Nelson also nominated for the role of mayor, though only received the backing of Cr Melanie Albrecht.

Cr Ismay was previously mayor of Hindmarsh Shire for two consecutive terms from late-2017 to late-2019,

"Thank you councillors, and thank you for your support in putting me in the position of mayor of this council," he said at Wednesday's meeting.

"I didn't have intentions of standing for mayor, and I may regret it down the track. It's a big job, and I would say thank you Cr Gersch for your year as mayor and certainly things have been turned on their head and you're a very experience councillor.

"Also Cr Nelson, you spoke very well today and I certainly look forward to working with all of you over the next 12 months.

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Cr Ismay said he would be focused on guiding the Hindmarsh communities through their COVID-19 recoveries.

"Hopefully we can continue to look after our community as well as we've done in the past, and hopefully when we get a new councillor we'll work together as a very good team," he said.

"I really believe with this COVID situation the recovery is going to very much (about) tourism, and to some extent industry-led.

"I really believe that we've got a lot of businesses out there, in the hospitality industry at least, that are hurting badly. We need to do the best that we can to help them recover.

Newly-elected councillor Melanie Albrecht was elected as deputy mayor unopposed.

"Congratulations to you Cr Albrecht on your nomination to deputy mayor. Hopefully we can ease you into the role and you'll have a successful year," Cr Ismay said.

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