Sue Tonkin provisionally elected in Onkaparinga Council supplementary election
The results of Onkaparinga Council’s by-election are in and an inaugural councillor has returned, after beating out a local business owner by just a handful of votes.
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Inaugural Onkaparinga councillor Sue Tonkin has returned to the council after being provisionally elected in the Mid Coast Ward by-election.
Ms Tonkin, of Christies Beach, was provisionally elected on preferences beating out local business owner Dan Platten by just a handful of votes.
She served on Happy Valley Council and then the first Onkaparinga Council following the amalgamation of Happy Valley, Noarlunga and Willunga Councils in 1997.
After leaving the council almost 20 years ago, Ms Tonkin said she was ready to jump back into life as an elected member.
“I turn 70 next week and I’m looking at retiring at the end of next year so I thought I would love to do something again,” Ms Tonkin said.
“I wanted to get involved in something again rather than sitting around when I retire.
“I’ve always kept my eye on what’s going on in the area and a lot has changed in the area in the last 20 years and I want to be part of that again.”
Ms Tonkin said one of her goals as a new councillor was to work on the rejuvenation of Beach Road, Christies Beach.
“When I go down Beach Road, it’s so sad down there and it has so much to offer,” she said.
“I would love to see something happen down there to make it a more vibrant and happening place.”
The by-election attracted almost 4000 votes, just over 16 per cent of the 23,646 enrolled votes in the region.
An Onkaparinga Council spokesman said there was a 72 hour period that must expire before the election is concluded to allow for requests for recounts.
“We expect the election to be concluded by 4pm on Friday September 11 and it is not appropriate for us to comment on provisional results, as they are not final until declared by the Electoral Commissioner,” he said.
The by-election was triggered by Councillor Beau Cowan’s resignation earlier this year, following a cancer diagnosis.