Cr Docksey yesterday confirmed he would challenge for the position by declaring the post needed a “new face, new blood and new energy”.

Cr Henk van de Ven has been deputy mayor for the past 12 months and also served in the role under Cr Alice Glachan with the former council.

Cr van de Ven hasn’t ruled out standing again and Cr Ross Jackson and Cr David Thurley are also in the mix.

Either of the trio could count on enough votes to get the job if only one of them stood.

But Cr Docksey’s chances will be boosted if they all decided to run.

Mayor Kevin Mack will be re-elected unopposed as was the case in 2008 when Cr Patricia Gould secured the post.

Cr Docksey said he had done his two-year “apprenticeship” on the council and was ready to be deputy mayor.

“I have been on all the committees and got enough knowledge to take on the position,” he said.

“I think it is time for a change and the city needs a change.”

Last year he supported Cr Glachan to remain as mayor, but she didn’t nominate on the night and Cr Mack was elected on a 5-4 vote from Cr Daryl Betteridge.

Cr Docksey can count on the support of Cr Glachan, Cr Betteridge and Cr Gould, but needs one more vote.

“I don’t do deals, I am just putting my hand up and we will see how it falls,” he said.

“I am not going to ring around and ask people.”

Cr Docksey occupied the No. 2 position on Cr Glachan’s ticket at the 2012 election and has previously been chairman of the planning and development committee.

He is chairman of the local traffic committee.

Cr Docksey is the president of the Albury RSL sub-branch and before entering local politics was in charge of the Bandiana Army Museum.