NSW council elections 2024: Meet the new Sutherland Shire Council

A Liberal majority dashed at the last hurdle, a fresh-faced group of independents, and two council stalwarts make a comeback. Meet your new Sutherland Shire Council.

The wait is over and the results for the local government elections have been confirmed, with a line-up of new and returning faces making up the new Sutherland Shire Council.

Early votes indicated the Liberal Party would storm to a dominant majority on council with seven to eight seats out of 15, however, candidate preferences have changed the game.

The newly-elected council will now consist of six Liberals, five Labor, and four independents, compared to an eight, five, two split at the last election.

Nine of the 15 elected councillors have been re-elected, while the remaining six are starting their first terms.

In the story of the election season, the former Liberal mayor and deputy mayor Carmelo Pesce and Carol Provan have made it back onto council as independents.

A Ward councillors Carol Provan, Marcelle Elzerman, and Kal Glanznig. Picture: Supplied

A Ward

Liberal councillor Marcelle Elzerman will return to council alongside her former party member and deputy mayor Carol Provan, who was sensationally dropped from the Liberal Party and turned independent weeks out from the election.

Preferences pushed Ms Provan over the line, while independent newcomer Kal Glanznig is expected to make his mark on council after securing a bumper early-vote.

B Ward councillors Melanie Gibbons, Jack Boyd, and Joanne Nicholls. Picture: Supplied

Ward B

Former NSW Liberal State MP for Holsworthy and Menai, Melanie Gibbons, will return to council after a hiatus from local government.

Ms Gibbons will share the ward with returning Labor councillor Jack Boyd, who is reportedly poised to take the title of new mayor when council votes on the matter later this month.

The duo will be joined by Ms Gibbon’s running mate and council newcomer Joanne Nicholls.

C Ward councillors Carmelo Pesce, Haris Strangas, and Jen Armstrong. Picture: Supplied

C Ward

In the biggest upset of the election, former mayor Carmelo Pesce has secured his spot on council after being dumped from the Liberal ticket and turning independent thanks in large part to candidate preferences.

He will make his comeback to council in the company of returning Liberal councillor Haris Strangas, who secured an early lead in the polls, and fellow returning independent Jen Armstrong.

D Ward councillors Meredith Laverty, Diedree Steinwall, and Peter Tsambalas. Picture: Supplied

Ward D

Returning Labor councillor Diedree Steinwall made it over the line first, followed by Liberal newcomer Meredith Laverty.

Ms Steinwall’s running mate Peter Tsambalas also clinched a spot on council, retaining the same two-to-one Labor-Liberal split formed at the last election.

E Ward councillors Steven Nikolovski, Michael Maroney, and Laura Cowell. Picture: Supplied

E Ward

Liberal councillor Steven Nikolovski safely held onto his seat alongside independent Laura Cowell.

They will be joined by Labor newcomer Michael Maroney after Peter Scaysbrook opted to retire at this election.