Cr Reilly beat Greens councillor Kathy Rice for the town's top job, in a secret ballot carried out at the first council meeting of the new term.

Labor newcomer and council's youngest councillor, 22-year-old Imogen Draisma, was elected deputy mayor over the council's oldest representative, independent Warren Steel.

Cr Reilly thanked the councillors for putting their faith in him.

"It's with great humility I take on the role of mayor, but also a certain amount of pride [that] comes from representing a group with such diversity - diversity of gender, diversity of age and diversity of ideas," he said.

"I think the future council of Kiama will find great strength in that diversity."

He also extended his thanks to Cr Rice for nominating for the role.

"Kathy, it could have been either of us and I think you would have done an excellent job in the role," he said.

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Cr Rice said she was disappointed not to have been elected mayor, especially given the strong support for the Greens at the election.

"We were only eight votes short of not having three Greens elected," she said, but added she was pleased there was now a "far broader range of voices in council".

Cr Draisma also thanked her fellow councillors for their votes.

Thank you everyone for your support," she said.

"I'm very proud to be standing here representing the community ... I look forward to a very productive term."

Community candidate Mark Croxford formally abstained from both votes after yesterday calling on his fellow councillors to elected a "fresh leadership team" amid concerns over financial management under the previous council.

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