Richmond Valley Council election results become clear with counting
A picture is being painted as to who will be sitting on Richmond Valley Council for the future term.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
While votes are still being counted up, it appears the Richmond Valley has a clear indication of who their new mayor will be.
Sitting Richmond Valley Council Mayor Robert Mustow looks set to hold his job for another term, according to polling data.
A count of first preference votes show Mr Mustow holds 73 per cent of the 11,636 votes counted so far with fellow councillor Robert Hayes sitting at 27 per cent.
Mr Mustow said he would wait until all votes were counted to claim the win but was pleased so far with the outcome.
“It looks very positive and I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the support I’ve got and council received as well,” he said.
Going forward, the fourth generation Casino resident said he would continue to work with the community and council to create a community strategic plan.
“We will be a team going forward and work for the betterment of our community,” he said.
Mr Mustow also thanked opposition and fellow councillor Robert Hayes on his mayoral campaign.
“I congratulate Robert on his decision to nominate and give the community an alternate choice,” he said.
“Democracy needs people to vote for our leaders and it’s been five years since they’ve voted for a mayor.”
It looks likely Mr Hayes will retain his councillor seat.
The councillors positions have also become clearer with more than half of the votes counted.
Given that, Group B holds the lead at 57.51 per cent.
The independent group contains Mr Mustow, Steve Morrisey, Sandra Duncan-Humphrys, Sam Cornish and Debra McGillan.
This is how votes followed.
– Group E 13.68 per cent
Patrick Deegan, Michele Yates Jacob Dhnaram
– Group D 10.27 per cent
Robert Hayes, Daniel Simpson, Louise Wicks
– Group A 10.02 per cent
Jill Lyons, Peter Neilsen, Ted Hoddinott
– Group C 7.07 per cent
Trudy Lamont, Neale Genge, Portia Walker-Fernando
– Robyn Kapeen is ungrouped and sits at 1.46 per cent
There were 16,469 Richmond Valley Council voters enrolled in this area as of October 25, 2021.
Company stung after breaching fire ants protocol
A Queensland landscaping supply company has been fined after delivering up to 152 loads of potentially deadly fire ant carrying material across the border to NSW - including to two schools.
‘Yelling obscenities’: Man accused of “random” council worker attack
A Byron Bay man has been accused of “randomly” attacking council workers and yelling “obscenities” at them while they were doing their job, a court has heard. Now he has launched a fresh bid to be released on bail.