Paul Amos opens lead in Coffs Harbour City Council vote

Outgoing mayor Denise Knight says it‘s crucial for the next council to work well together as a leader emerges in the Coffs Harbour poll.

Coffs Harbour mayoral candidate Paul Amos is leading the polls early in the vote count. Picture: Tim Jarrett

The fabled “Moose caboose” of Paul Amos is edging ahead in the mayoralty race for Coffs Harbour City Council.

With counting resuming, Mr Amos now has 21.45 per cent of the first preference vote in the 10-person field.

On his heels are Rodger Pryce (15.97 per cent), Tegan Swan (14.39), Sally Townley (11.80) and George Cecato (11.67).

Businessman Rodger Pryce is coming second in the race for mayor. Picture: Brad Greenshields.

Of the 56,000-plus electors on the roll, 21,034 formal votes have now been counted.

Paul “Moose” Amos, who rose to be deputy mayor in September, campaigned on a platform to preserve and promote the things which made Coffs Harbour special.

Outgoing mayor Denise Knight believes the greatest challenge for the next council will be working together given some of the “personalities” in the likely new order.

Ms Knight, who continues as mayor until the vote is declared sometime between December 20 and 23, said she took heart that the next council would include a number with runs on the board in local government.

“I‘m happy for Paul (Amos) - he’s been a wonderful councillor,” Ms Knight said.

“Experience is the key word - it looks easy from the outside being a councillor, and a mayor.”

Outgoing Coffs Harbour Mayor Denise Knight says the next council have to work together.

Ms Knight served for “13 years and three months” - including two years as deputy mayor and more than nine at the helm.

She said she was blessed to lead coherent teams.

“We don’t always vote the same,” Ms Knight said, but she said it was crucial for councillors to “work together and be respectful”.

Stepping from the local government limelight, Ms Knight said it was an “exciting time” as she looked forward to a break, spending time with family and travel.

To the immediate south, high profile independent candidates are poised to salute in Bellingen and Nambucca Valley.

Steve Allan with 59.23 per cent of the first preference votes is set to unseat Dominic King (28.72) of the Greens for the top job.

While in Nambucca, long-serving mayor Rhonda Hoban (68 per cent) is set to continue at the Princess St helm, with the only other candidate, Susan Jenvey, who headed a Labor ticket, on 32 per cent.