Clarence Valley Council shake-up in wake of 2024 NSW Local Government elections

A group of four newbies and five incumbents have been picked for council by voters across the Clarence Valley. Here’s how it played out.

The Clarence Valley Council building on Prince Street, Grafton.

A group of four newbies and five incumbents have been voted into council by almost 42,000 voters across the Clarence Valley

The new council includes Ray Smith, Cristie Yager, Greg Clancy, Lynne Cairns, Debrah Novak, Karen Toms, Shane Causley, Peter Johnstone and Allison Whaites.

The councillors will select a mayor at the new council’s first meeting on October 17 – and decide if they want a deputy mayor.

Ulmarra’s Cristie Yager lead the race from the start and nabbed 14.99 per cent or 4773 of the total 31,834 formal first preference votes.

Incumbent Mayor Peter Johnstone followed up with a respectable 3832 votes.

Incumbent Greens councillor and former deputy mayor Greg Clancy managed third in the count with 9.42 per cent or 2998 first preference votes.

Clarence Valley Council's newest additions, Cristie Yager, Shane Causley, Lynne Cairns and Ray Smith.

Ray Smith has made a notable return to chambers. The former Grafton City Council general manager got the tick from 2486 voters, or 7.81 per cent.

Former Federal Page MP Ian Causley, Shane Causley, slid into fifth place with 2432 votes, or 7.64 per cent.

Grafton real estate agent Allison Whaites reclaimed her seat and was re-elected with 2318 first preference votes, or 7.28 per cent.

Council newcomer Lynne Cairns placed seventh with 6.46 per cent, or 2057 first preference votes.

Running for her third consecutive term on the council, Debrah Novak slid in by on the seat of her pants in eighth place with 1893 votes.

Clarence Valley Council for the next four years (from top left) Ray Smith, Cristie Yager, Greg Clancy, Lynne Cairns, Debrah Novak, Karen Toms, Shane Causley, Peter Johnstone and Allison Whaites.

It was a neck and neck race between stalwart Karen Toms, a councillor of 16 years, against Amanda Brien.

Ms Toms secured 4.51 per cent or 1435 first preference votes compared to Ms Brien’s 4.89 per cent or 1556 votes – Ms Toms snared the last spot on the council by a mere 30 votes. after preferences were distributed.

Following the Local Government election in the Clarence on September 14, the NSW Electoral Commission could rake in a tidy $375,980 in $55 fines against 6836 enrolled voters who did not vote in the valley.

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