Mr Deutsch was absent from Wednesday’s countback but accepted the offer on Thursday afternoon, replacing Darren Ford, who stepped down as councillor on May 9. 

The acceptance means Mr Deutsch will return as councillor following a 19-month stint from March 2015 to October 2016.

Mr Ford’s 3915 ballot papers were re-distributed with Mr Deutsch declared his replacement.

Chief executive Allan Bawden said it was good to see progress on the vacancy.

“This time of year is a busy time of year – with our rating strategy and budget – so to have a full complement of councillors around the table is important,” he said.

“It has been noticeable when we are one or two councillors down. It changes the dynamic and the mix of skills of the council, so it will be good to get back to a full complement of people.”

The Lake Bolac resident will join the council as the southern-most councillor, geographically.

Mr Bawden said it would give another important point of view from the southern region of the shire.

“All councillors are elected on the understanding they are there to represent the entire municipality but obviously it is good to have people there who have good detailed local knowledge,” he said. “So to have someone from that southern area will be a good asset.”

Following confirmation of Mr Deutsch’s acceptance, the seven councillors will vote to elect a new mayor at a special council meeting on Tuesday.

“The council chose to delay the election of the mayor following the resignation of Glenda McLean,” Mr Bawden said. 

“They set the date for next week on the assumption we would have seven councillors. “They felt it was important every councillor would have their say in who would be mayor and if there was a non-acceptance and a need for another countback, the meeting would have been re-scheduled..”