FIRST LOOK: Fresh faces among veterans in new council mix

After more than two anxious weeks of counting, the make-up of the new Sunshine Coast Council has been all but revealed with one division still to be declared.

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FINALLY after more than two anxious weeks of counting, the make-up of the new Sunshine Coast Council has been all but revealed with one division still to be declared.

A mix of familiar faces and new blood will lead the region's 10 divisions, with mayor Mark Jamieson at the helm for his third consecutive term after being elected in 2012.

This year's local government election was like no other, with the COVID-19 pandemic leading an unprecedented number of people to cast postal votes in a bid to maintain social distancing from the masses on polling day, Saturday, March 28.

Of the 230,440 voters, only about 175,500 at most cast their ballot, with 26,666 people registered for postal votes and 4219 people registered for phone voting, but it was yet to be revealed just how many of those actually voted.

After technical glitches plagued the Electoral Commission Queensland website on day one, the vote count stalled for days at a time including from the postal vote deadline on April 7.

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Yesterday, the representatives for all but Division 5 were clear.

Division 1 councillor Rick Baberowski maintained his position with a win against three other candidates.

Terry Landsberg secured Division 2, with Brady Sullivan conceding defeat yesterday morning.

Cr Peter Cox had secured enough of the first-preference votes on polling day to declare victory to return for another term.

Former Maroochy Shire mayor Joe Natoli overthrew one-term councillor John Connolly for Division 4.

Division 5 candidate Winston Johnston said he was happy to be in the lead, and expected an official result in his favour by lunchtime today.

More people threw their hat in the ring for Division 5 than any other seat on the Sunshine Coast, with 10 hopefuls looking to replace retired Jenny McKay who left after 20 years on council.

A tired Mr Johnston spoke to the Sunshine Coast Daily late yesterday and said he was "happier" with his position than compared to a few days ago.

"I am ahead, so I am less worried than if I was behind," Mr Johnston said.

"I'm not overly confident but happy with my situation.

"I just wish it didn't take so long, I'm worn out."

Cr Christian Dickson secured an early lead, which he maintained throughout the count to return as the Division 6 representative.

Cr Ted Hungerford maintained in position for Division 7, and declared victory on Sunday.

Cr Jason O'Pray will return to Division 8 after a narrow win over his only opponent, Kathryn Hyman.

Maria Suarez beat several high-profile candidates vying to represent Division 9 and replace retired councillor Steve Robinson.

David Law is the new Division 10 representative, replacing retired councillor Greg Rogerson after beating six others.