Kyogle Council shake up brings four new faces to the table – one by a mere 17 votes

Four new faces have been declared by voters in the NSW Local Government elections to take a seat at Kyogle Council this term.

Kyogle Council chambers.

Four new faces have been declared by voters in the NSW Local Government elections to take a seat at Kyogle council this term.

Councillors will select a mayor at the new council’s first meeting on October 14 – and decide if they want a deputy mayor.

Councillors selecting the mayor will remain due to a resounding 67.2 per cent “no” referendum question to reducing the number of wards from three to two, with four councillors in each and a popularly elected mayor.

New Kyogle councillors Olivia Taylor, left, Robin Harley, Kieran Somerville, and Brett McNamara.

Kyogle Council was established in 1906 and is divided into three wards served by nine councillors including a mayor and deputy mayor.

All candidates in the election were independents, including those who stood down from running: former Kyogle Council Mayor Kylie Webster and councillors Hayden Doolan and Maggie May.

In Ward A, former RFS boss Brett McNamara was ushered in with 557 votes while third generation farmer Kieran Somerville will step into councillor role after 446 votes.

Stalwart Janet Wilson kept her seat with 334 votes.

New faces Brett McNamara, left, and Kieran Somerville with sitting councillor Janet Wilson for A Ward, Kyogle.

In B Ward, former councillor Maggie May stepped down, making way for newcomer Olivia Taylor.

Ms Taylor made quite the splash as a newcomer with a searing 632 of the first preference vote.

John Burley forged back into his role with a solid 452 vote backing, while fellow returning councillor Rob Cullen had 369 votes.

Newly elected councillor Olivia Taylor, left, with re-elected councillors Rob Cullen and John Burley for B Ward, Kyogle.

Newcomer for C Ward, Robin Harley, played his cards right in a very tight contest with James Murray – claiming his seat by a mere 17 votes.

Meanwhile, longstanding councillor and former mayor Danielle Mulholland staked a solid claim with 737 votes.

Tom Cooper got a respectable 397 votes backing to retain his seat.

Newcomer Robin Harley, left, Danielle Mulholland and Tom Cooper for C Ward, Kyogle.

With prospective councillors needing a quota of 441 votes, those that did not reach this were elected in order of the number of votes.

Described as a “dirty” election, many candidates called “foul play” on one another and competitors posters were torn down.

Kyogle Council’s well publicised conflicts made for a heavy atmosphere to campaign in.

The new council is made up of Danielle Mulholland, Tom Cooper, Robin Harley, Olivia Taylor, John Burley, Rob Cullen, Janet Wilson, Kieran Somerville and Brett McNamara.

Kyogle Council will elect its new mayor in its first meeting on October 14.