Moyne and Warrnambool councils declared following election

The council election result was officially declared on Monday at the Port Fairy Community Services Centre and councillors will be officially sworn in at a special meeting on November 8.

Mr Doukas and Mr Ryan have announced their interest in the mayoral position, which will also be voted on at that meeting.

At Monday’s declaration, the councillors-elect and unsuccessful candidates were given the opportunity to make a short speech.

Former councillor Ralph Leutton was the only unsuccessful candidate to speak. He congratulated the newcomers and his former colleagues and conceded he was disappointed to not be among them, but joked he was looking forward to having more free time.

Among the thank-yous to supporters and past councillors, new face Jordan Lockett acknowledged the traditional owners of the land – something Mr Doukas said Moyne Shire should do more often.

Warrnambool City Council’s official declarations were on Monday at the Lighthouse Theatre.

Electoral officer Kevin Waterhouse hosted the proceedings in the foyer, welcoming the new council.

Former councillor Rob Askew wished the mix of old and new faces good luck for the next four years.

“Welcome to all the new councillors and I wish you all the best for the decisions you will have to make in the future,” he said.

“Hopefully you make them for the right reasons for the city of Warrnambool.”

Mike Neoh, Kylie Gaston, Sue Cassidy, David Owen, Peter Hulin, Tony Herbert and Robert Anderson all addressed the small crowd in the theatre’s foyer.

The councillors-elect will be officially sworn in at a special meeting of council on November 14.

They will elect the mayor at that time.

All seven said there had been no decision made on who the mayor might be as of Monday morning.