Mid-September in Arcadia Waters Council and it's only days to the local government elections. The mayor of Arcadia Waters, Col Dunkley, has a few problems.
Col Dunkley has made it back onto the council, but in the race to be Mayor, Col must win the vote of the newly elected and genuinely independent Karin Schumaker.
There are more big dreams, bold plans and shady deals underway as we follow a year in the life of the Arcadia Waters Council. Col Dunkley and his faction celebrate their win and talk about Col's vision for the year ahead.
When entrepreneur Max Werring tells Col he can get Dame Kiri Te Kanawa for the Arcadia Waters Festival, Col's grand plan to put Arcadia Waters on the cultural map looks as though it is about to be realised.
At a secret meeting with Marilyn Hennessy, Greg tells her that he's going to support Col in every silly plan he has for as long as it takes to get Council to agree to sell its childcare service to her.
When Col refuses any more financial support to Harry's run down bowling club, Harry feels he has no alternative than to talk to the men-in-suits from the Business Club.
It's been a bad day for Liz. Her childcare workers haven't received their payout cheques, an angry parent claims that his daughter has been corrupted while on work experience, and Greg is threatening to cut her staff down even more.
Col spends most of the year working in secret with property tycoon Morgan Bartok to prepare a visionary plan for the development of a scrubby, neglected headland.
Bad weather cancels Arcadia Waters' Big Event for a Good Cause - the Amnesty International Candlelight Vigil.
Col arrives home from the Art Prize ceremony to finds his estranged wife, Julie has returned. Helen arrives unexpectedly, determined to force Col to discuss the consequences of their night of passion, but leaves as soon as she sees Julie.
Greg has a bold plan to save money with a new garbage and recycling scheme, which is timely, as it soon becomes clear that the garbos have gone on strike.
Col's and Julie's walk though a park on a warm summer night is spoiled when they witness a brutal bashing.
On his morning beach walk, Harry steps in dog poo and gets mad. When no one else on Council will endorse his proposals for tougher rules on dogs, Harry gets even madder and goes straight to the local paper.
Col gets a warning from the head of the TAFE college that he will have to reduce the amount of time he devotes to the Council or lose his job.
After a meeting at the Labor Party headquarters, Harry wants Col to change his mind about opposing Morgan Bartok's giant shopping mall.
Col gets a tip-off that Biddy is holding a press conference to announce a forthcoming Parade of Classic Cars without him.
Col tries to win points with Karin by showing her a piece of land owned by Council which would be perfect for an art gallery. He fails.
Karin tells Col that she's been asked by the Independent movement about Col as a possible candidate. He's not interested - all he wants is Karin's support in the coming Mayoral Ballot.