Community candidates wrest power from Greens at City of Yarra

After four turbulent years, a major power shift has occurred at the former Greens stronghold of Yarra City council, with independent candidates securing six of nine councillor positions.

Independent election candidates have secured six of nine councillor positions in a major power shift at Yarra City Council.

The Greens retained just two spots after winning five in 2020 as many voters rejected the party’s controversial approach to local politics.

The Yarra For All community group has secured four positions including organiser and 20-year councillor Stephen Jolly.

Veteran Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly.

Two other independents – businessmen Meca Ho and Andrew Davies – also won their wards, in North Richmond and Richmond/Cremorne respectively, while Labor’s Sarah McKenzie won Yarra Bend ward.

Mr Jolly described the result as “an overwhelming vote for change’’.

“We won’t let voters down, we’ll move fast to implement the policies we promised,” he said.

Restaurant owner Meca Ho has been elected to Yarra council.

The Greens improved their position in most wards thanks to the Group B votes received by the VEC after October 25.

Outgoing Greens mayor Edward Crossland was re-elected after gaining ground with the second batch of ballots and also benefiting from preferences, especially from Socialist candidate Bronwyn Murphy.

Mr Crossland won Curtain ward in Carlton North and Princes Hill, ahead of anaesthetist Alan Tse who had polled strongly in early voting.

City of Yarra Greens councillors Edward Crossland (left) and Sophie Wade were re-elected.

Fellow Green Sophie Wade, also a former mayor, secured Collingwood-based Hoddle ward, defeating independents Brielle Pope and Tony Lee after preferences. Michael Glynatsis, who served on the last council, contested the ward too but failed to get re-elected.

Leadership consultant Evangeline Aston secured Abbotsford-based Langridge ward for the Yarra For All team.

In Boulevard ward, which covers Burnley and East Richmond, Yarra For All’s Sharon Harrison won after preferences from fellow independent Sarah McRitchie.

Sharon Harrison won Boulevard Ward in the 2024 Yarra City Council election.

Mr Jolly won MacKillop ward (Fitzroy) easily, not needing preferences to retain his spot on council. The veteran councillor claimed 51.35 per cent of the primary vote, well clear of the Greens’ Charlotte George (29.15 per cent).

Independent Evangeline Aston was elected to Langridge ward.

In Nicholls ward, which covers Fitzroy North, Ken Gomez, also part of Yarra For All, was elected ahead of the Greens’ Thibaut Clamart after preferences.

And in North Richmond-based Melba ward, Mr Ho, a long-time Victoria St trader, beat Labor’s Sarah Whitty 2780 to 2452 after preferences.

Sarah McKenzie won Yarra Bend for Labor.

Andrew Davies won Lennox ward.

Sarah McKenzie will be Yarra’s lone ALP councillor after defeating incumbent Bridgid O’Brien in Yarra Bend, a ward which takes in Clifton Hill and Alphington.

The Yarra result came as former Stonnington councillor Mike Scott quit the Greens after losing his spot on council, firing off an attack on the party leadership.

“The current culture and leadership tone has changed and no longer align with my values or goals for positive influence,’’ Mr Scott said.

Mike Scott, the former Deputy Mayor of Stonnington City Council, has quit the Greens party after losing the election.

“The people in positions of power (both branch and state) continue to be a destabilising factor. I no longer feel welcome and therefore it’s time for me to move on.’’

Fellow Green Polly Morgan also lost her spot at Stonnington, as did former mayor Joe Gianfriddo, Nicki Batagol and Marcia Griffin.

Greens candidates also failed to get elected in the City of Port Phillip.