Councils take shape as last postal votes roll in

So far, three quarters of the west’s ballots have been counted, here’s how our councils are shaping up so far:

IN FRONT: Shaun ‘Zoro’ Radnedge currently leads the Murweh Shire mayoral race, with 75 per cent of votes counted at this stage. Photo Lachie Millard

A LANDSLIDE victory is looking likely for mayoral candidate Shaun ‘Zoro’ Radnedge, as the Murweh Shire’s votes are tallied.

Holding nearly three quarters of the vote, with 75 per cent of all the shires ballots counted, he has a comfortable lead over sitting mayor Annie Liston.

He has run on a platform of returning jobs to the Murweh Shire, and developing the region’s economy through both tourism and infrastructure; in a candidates’ Q&A, Mr Radnedge said ideas could bolster the shire’s liveability and in turn, the population and economy.

“We need to build our economy from within,” he said.

“People make strong communities, and with strong leadership and buying local we can start from the base and build.

“If we improve telecommunications and connectivity, and then lobby to put departments back in rural areas, we are then building the economy from another industry.”

As for Murweh’s incumbent councillors, experienced candidates Robert Eckel and Peter ‘Red’ Alexander have the strongest lead, garnering 17.89 per cent and 17.33 per cent of the vote respectively.

Behind them, Michael McKellar and Paul ‘Potter’ Taylor are vying for the remaining spots, with McKellar holding just over 12 per cent and Taylor sitting at just over 10 per cent.

With postal votes still coming in to the Electoral Commission of Queensland, western councils’ ballots will not be fully counted until Tuesday, April 7

About one quarter of the votes are still to be counted, and with Murweh’s Ron Sullivan next in line with just over 8 per cent of the vote, a late surge could potentially put him in contention for the fifth and final spot.

In the neighbouring Paroo Shire, the mayoral race is still running between William ‘Toonk’ Carr and sitting deputy mayor Suzette Berseford; they are separated by a fraction of the vote, with Carr at 40 per cent and Berseford just under 36 per cent.

On the council, Rick Brain is the clear frontrunner and will retain his seat, but there is stiff competition for the three remaining spots.

Newcomer Patricia Jordan and sitting councillor Jo Woodcroft are neck and neck on 13 per cent, while James Clark and Ethan Crumblin have each gained 11 per cent of the vote at this stage.

In Quilpie, mayor Stuart Mackenzie has run unopposed, and councillors Jenny Hewson, Bruce Paulsen and Roger Volz are all tipped to retain their seats. It leaves just one remaining place on the council.

Lyn Barnes, Dan Hoch, Bob Hall and Milan Milosevic each hold 11-12 per cent of their shire’s vote.

For up to the minute information on shire council ballots, visit the Electoral Commission of Queensland website.

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