Ballina council election: How candidates are faring

More than 12,000 votes have been counted for the Ballina Shire but there’s still a long way to go. Here’s what we know so far.

Sharon Cadwallader is leading Ballina’s mayoral race in the early count of votes.

A total of 12,185 first preference votes had been counted for the Ballina Shire as of 9.30pm Saturday.

Ms Cadwallader had attracted 32.93 per cent of the votes counted by that time, amounting to 4012 individual votes.

Independent candidate Jeff Johnson was next at 29.94 per cent of first preference votes, Keith Williams (Labor) at 15.95 per cent, Eoin Johnston at 15.01 per cent and Steve McCarthy at 7.17 per cent.

Counting is however far from finalised; there were a total of 32,669 people enrolled to vote in the Ballina Shire in the election.

Members of the public at Ballina Coast High School during polling day on Saturday. Picture: Liana Boss

Speaking outside polling booths at Ballina Coast High School on Saturday, Ms Cadwallader said the campaign had been an “emotional rollercoaster” for her.

She said there was some “very disappointing” behaviour at the polling place by supporters of another candidate.

Some of her corflutes have been defaced throughout the past week, she said.

Ms Cadwallader said she hoped to see an “independent” council sitting in Ballina for the next term.

“If I became mayor, I’d like to see it as an inclusive council, not exclusive,” she said.

Jeff Johnson said he felt “a lot of support” at the polls.

Ballina Shire Council Greens candidate Jason Shrieves with Jenni Cargill-Strong at Ballina Coast High School during polling day on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Picture: Liana Boss

But he felt the election had been “marred with lots of negativity and scare campaigns”.

“It’s really to see whether the voters have taken that on board or done their research,” Mr Johnson said.

“It’s been the most divisive local government election that I’ve experienced in Ballina and it’s a real shame.”

Steve McCarthy, also already a councillor, was running for mayor for the first time.

Mr McCarthy said he had promised to push for the sports stadium in the previous election and was pleased to see a good outcome there.

Labor candidate for Ballina Shire Council, Col Riches at Ballina Coast High School during polling day on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Picture: Liana Boss

“I’ve been here a little while and I like it,” Mr McCarthy said.

“I like the way motions go through and I like the way democracy works.

“I’d like to progress to the next level.”

Mr McCarthy said whatever the result was, he believed Ballina Shire’s next council would be progressive.

“It’ll be a different council,” he said.

He acknowledged the loss of departing mayor David Wright’s 35 years experience on council after he decided not to contest the election.

Along with securing a mayor, the election will secure three councillors in each of three wards.

Steve McCarthy has been leading the Ward A councillor vote at 17.78 per cent, along with Jason Shrieves (Greens) at 14.47 per cent and Col Riches (Labor) at 14.32 per cent.

Along with leading the mayoral vote, Ms Cadwallader is ahead in the B Ward councillor vote at 31.19 per cent, followed by Jeff Johnson (26.22 per cent), Kiri Dicker (19.37 per cent) and Keith Williams (13.29 per cent).

C Ward is being led by Eoin Johnston who has amassed 43.45 per cent of the vote there, with Greens candidate Simon Chate at 23.68 per cent and Therese Crollick (Labor) at 14.08 per cent.

Counting of votes continues.