Cr McLean was elected mayor for 2017-18 and Cr Gwenda Allgood was voted deputy mayor at a statutory meeting on Tuesday evening.

Mr Cooper, then still a councillor, and Cr Jo Armstrong protested against the result as Cr McLean was currently involved in a code of conduct process over her behavior towards members of the public and senior staff.

Cr Armstrong is reportedly considering her future on the council as well. 

Cr Armstrong had yet to reply to a request for comment at the time of publication.

Mr Hooper said he told chief executive Allan Bawden of his intention to resign during the meeting and completed the procedure on Wednesday morning.

“I resigned because my core values will never align with the majority of councillors,” Mr Hooper said.

“I will preface that by saying Cr Peter Beales and Cr Armstrong have been exemplary councillors for their community. I have really enjoyed working with them.

“But the majority of councillors, it is clear, have learned nothing from the commission of inquiry.”

Mr Bawden said Mr Hooper should be applauded for his service to the Ararat Rural City.

“Although I have only known Mr Hooper for a short period of time, he has proven to be a very dignified and well respected member of this organisation and it is unfortunate that he will no longer be a part of Council,” Mr Bawden said.

“He has worked closely with many people across the Ararat Rural City and speaking with colleagues about the work Mr Hooper achieved, particularly during his time as mayor, it is clear what a fantastic advocate he was for this region.”

Mr Hooper said some councillors had no concept of what the role required.

“It is absolutely untenable that the mayor and the deputy mayor have been supported by two other councillors when they are facing serious charges under the councillor code of conduct,” he said,

Mr Hooper said he had confidence in municipal monitor Janet Dore and the chief executive but they faced a tough job ahead.

Mr Hooper was first elected in 1988 and completed six terms as mayor and led the Central Highlands group of councils for four consecutive terms.

He said a highlight of his time in council was reconnecting with the community after contentious decisions in the past

Mr Hooper also enjoyed being able to see more than a billion dollars of investment made in the region in recent years.

“We can take enormous of pride in a lot of the projects in Ararat,” he said.

“They don’t just happen; it takes a lot of hard work by a lot of people.”

Mr Hooper said the Victorian Electoral Commission would now look at the results of the previous Ararat council election and offer his seat to the next person down in the voting results.