Coffs Harbour City Council election: photos from voting day
With current mayor Denise Knight retiring there are big changes ahead. See photos from across the region as voters flocked to the polls.
Coffs Harbour
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With first preference votes counted into the night on Saturday there are three favourites emerging.
A total of 20,854 first preference votes for mayor have been counted so far.
There were 56,687 residential and non-residential electors enrolled in the Coffs Harbour local government area as of October 25.
Current councillor Paul Amos has the most votes so far at 4475, followed by new candidate Rodger Pryce on 3329 and current councillor Tegan Swan on 3003.
On Sunday morning Mr Amos said he “wasn’t counting any chickens before they hatched” but was encouraged by the early results.
He held a gathering for friends and family at his home on Saturday night where they watched the early results rolling in.
On Saturday umbrellas and smiles were out and about on voting day across the Coffs Coast on Saturday.
With the current cohort in power for just over five years due to Covid postponements, people were keen to finally cast their vote.
Pre polling at Coffs Harbour Showground and near Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre proved popular with voters hoping to beat the crowds, but there was still a steady stream at polling booths across the region on Saturday.
Candidates and supporters at the showground were in a jovial mood with current councillor and mayoral candidate George Cecato offering his umbrella for shade to Robyn Lawrence and Joan Kirk as the temperature climbed.
They wouldn’t say who they were voting for but outlined the issues of importance to them.
“I don’t want to see over development and I want to see City Hill saved for community purposes,” Ms Lawrence said.
Born and bred local Dean Crocket was there in support of current councillor Paul Amos and said “he is the best man for the job”.
Also at the showground was former Coffs Harbour Nationals MP Andrew Fraser who came out early in the campaign in support of new mayoral candidate Rodger Pryce.
He said the current council had a poor track record when it came to financial management. Mr Fraser was the member for Coffs Harbour from 1990 to 2019.
“We need a new team who understands economics,” Mr Fraser said.
Jedaiah Katal from Papua New Guinea was wearing a T-shirt in support of current councillor and mayoral candidate Michael Adendorff.
The student pilot said Mr Adendorff’s legal firm was very helpful with one of his fellow students recently.
Bridget Mackenzie, disability advocate and strong supporter of the Cultural and Civic Space (Yarrila Place) is on Sally Townley’s team.
She was also at the showground on Saturday reminding people to keep female representation in their minds.
Ms Mackenzie paid tribute to current mayor Denise Knight who had served on council for 13 years but was not contesting the election.
Ms Knight cast her vote early and was having a weekend away at Urunga with her husband.
“She was such a strong advocate for the Indigenous community,” Ms Mackenzie said.
“Taking the time to learn some of their language – she has forged some incredible relationships and will leave a wonderful legacy.”
Counting started at 6pm on Saturday and continued to 11pm.
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