RESULTS for the Corangamite Shire Council election have been revealed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new council to lead the shire for the next four years is Geraldine Conheady, Ruth Gstrein and Laurie Hickey in the Central Ward, Jamie Vogels in the Coastal Ward, Nicholas Cole in the North Ward, Jo Beard in the South-Central Ward and Kate Makin in the South-West Ward.
The Coastal, South-Central and South-West Wards were uncontested, meaning there was only one candidate in each.
Cr Conheady lead the Cental Ward voting, with 1684 - or 32.71 per cent - of the first preference votes for the ward, followed by Cr Gstrein with 1565 (30.40 per cent) and Cr Hickey with 1099 (21.35 per cent).
Unsuccessful Central Ward candidates Lance Robilliard and Catherine O'Flynn got 374 (7.26 per cent) and 426 (8.28 per cent) respectively.
"I would like to welcome aboard new councillors, we have four new councillors this year," Cr Ruth Gstrein said at the Corangamite Shire declaration of polls.
"I'm really looking forward to working with all the councillors, I think Corangamite is in a really good position.
"We've certainly got a hard job ahead with regards to the COVID-19 recovery but I'm sure with good debate and the diversity that we do have on council we will be in good stead.
"I would like to that the voters of Central Ward for their support and don't take their support for granted even though I have been on council for a number of years.
"I hope we have a successful council in the future."
Fellow incumbent councillor Jo Beard said she too was looking forward to working with the new council.
"I've always enjoyed being a representative for Corangamite Shire Council, we're very lucky to be in these positions and I highly regard being elected among incredible people.
"For the next four years I look forward to working alongside you all.
"The COVID recovery is certainly going to make for an interesting time ahead and we will be working with our community."
There were 6016 enrolled voters in the shire's Central Ward, with 5148 formal votes and 96 (1.83 per cent of the total votes) cast.
5244 votes were counted, 87.17% of the total enrollment.
Cr Conheady, who was only just nominated to council in the July by-election, thanked the Central Ward voters for re-electing her.
"I think we've got a really great team, I know some of you already and looking forward to the challenges that are ahead," she said.
"I think we'll have an interesting four years ahead of us, it will be challenging, but I think we have a great team."
First-time councillor Laurie Hickey admitted it was "daunting" to nominate for the position.
"You throw yourself on the mercy of the people to have faith in you to do the job, and having gone through that it gives me a huge determination to make sure I serve the people of Corangamite Shire," he said.
"From the top to the bottom, from the east to the west equally and as fairly as I can."
Cr Cole received more than 50 per cent of the total first preference votes - an absolute majority against opposing candidate Catherine Forsayeth.
There were 967 votes for Cr Cole (68.68 per cent) and 441 for Ms Forsayeth (31.32 per cent).
The results are not yet in for the Warrnambool, Moyne, Glenelg or Southern Grampians council elections.
More to come.
READ MORE:
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.