Major parties dominate after Central Coast votes in first council election
EARLY results in the Central Coast council election indicate a strong showing from the ALP in the north ward of Budgewoi and an expected backlash against the Liberals has not manifested as largely as expected.
Central Coast
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RESIDENTS of the former Gosford City and Wyong Shire councils went to the polls today to elect the first ever amalgamated Central Coast Council.
The new mega-council will represent more than 300,000 citizens — a figure comparable to the population of the Australian Capital Territory.
Residents will elect 15 councillors across five wards.
Follow the live results for Central Coast Council here: www.elections.nsw.gov.au/centralcoast
Preliminary results indicate a strong showing from the ALP particularly in the north ward of Budgewoi and an expected backlash against the Liberals has not manifested as largely as punters may have imagined.
The Liberals are likely to garner several positions on council — including one for Rebecca Gale Collins in the Gosford East ward.
Controversial former Wyong mayor Doug Eaton is not polling well.
BUDGEWOI WARD
At Budgewoi, Labor is streaking ahead with more than 40 per cent of the vote. The ALP will have Doug Vincent elected and his number two Jillian Hogan will tough it out in a three-way battle with Liberal Garry Whitaker and former councillor Greg Best, an independent at this election, for the remaining two positions.
GOSFORD EAST WARD
Rebecca Gale Collins and her Liberal candidates have bucked an expected ballot box backlash to perform well after early counting. Ms Gale Collins should be elected following tonight’s count with the potential for her number two Kerryanne Delaney to join. Labor’s Jeff Sundstrom is polling well and will be expect to get over the line. The third seat will be decided between Ms Delaney, Independent Jane Smith and possibly The Greens’ Stephen Pearson.
GOSFORD WEST WARD
A very even spread across the field but both the Liberal Party and the ALP should fulfil one seat each with Troy Marquart and Richard Mehrtens respectively. The battle for the third seat on council will be one to watch with former mayor Chris Holstein, now an independent, a strong chance of returning to civic duty. A strong showing on preferences is the only hope for The Greens’ Kate Da Costa.
THE ENTRANCE WARD
Bruce McLachlan, an independent whose candidacy sat below the line on today’s ballot paper, is the surprise packet in The Entrance ward. The popular local is polling with more than 20 per cent of the vote. He is likely to become the third candidate elected behind the Liberals Jilly Pilon and the ALP’s Lisa Matthews. Former Australian fast bowler Nathan Bracken will not be elected based on the latest results.
WYONG WARD
The big story from Wyong ward is the poor polling of former mayor Doug Eaton who is now virtually no chance of becoming part of the amalgamated council.
Instead, residents have installed Labor’s Kyle MacGregor and independent Louise Greenaway is in the box seat to join him. The third seat is likely to end up with Liberal Chris Burke, a former Gosford councillor who was this week referred to ICAC.
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