Lyons Ward hangs by a thread as ballot goes to preferences
A Greens candidate and a cafe owner lead the Lyons by-election primary vote. Read where the count is up to.
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Preferences will determine the next councillor to represent the Lyons Ward after a tightly fought City of Darwin by-election failed to produce a majority winner.
When counting closed on Saturday night, Greens candidate Suki Dorras-Walker lead the ballot with 1240 votes, 21 per cent of the total vote.
Mad Snake Cafe owner Sam Weston had 1062 votes (18 per cent) and top-of-the ballot paper Ben Wollinski polled 738 votes (12.5 per cent).
A fresh scrutiny of all votes counted will happen on Monday, before declaration and postal votes will be added to the tally over the coming fortnight.
The distribution of preferences will not happen until after September 15.
Depending on how they fall, either Ms Dorras-Walker and Mr Weston are well placed to fill the vacant spot in the council chamber.
They will replace Paul Arnold who cited mental health issues for stepping away from council in June before it was revealed the 51-year-old had been charged with three counts of breaking a domestic violence order and unlawful stalking.
Twelve candidates contested the Lyons Ward by-election on Saturday.
Other strong performers were Adam Troyn with 665 votes (11.3 per cent) and Leah Potter 540 votes (9.2 per cent). Social media enthusiast Shannon Joyce polled 287 votes (4.9 per cent) with so-called Rubbish Warrior Trevor Jenkins polling 202 votes (4.1 per cent).
Last minute candidate Calving Donaldson polled just 11 votes (0.2 per cent).
Primary vote leader Ms Dorras-Walker acknowledged the final count would go to preferences but said her strong vote reflected community concerns about gas.
“This result is a real reflection of the conversations I’ve been having over the past three weeks,” she said.
“We know from a number of survey results the Northern Territory has real concerns about fracking, gas expansion and how that will impact the liveability of Darwin.”
If elected, Ms Dorras-Walker will also push for direct council action to combat heating and climate change.
“I want to see council taking direct action and mitigating heat impacts by planting more trees, more shade canopies and protecting the trees we have. People in Lyons are keen on composting and council can amplify community opposition to fracking.”
NT Electoral Commissioner Iain Loganathan said the voter turnout, which was 48.8 per cent, was again disappointing.
“There continues to be a decline in voter turnout at elections in the Northern Territory and the turnout for the Lyons Ward by-election is further evidence of this trend,” he said.
“It’s important that Territorians exercise their democratic right and obligation to vote and contribute to shaping their community’s future.”
Fines will be issued for eligible Territorians who did not vote in the Lyons Ward without a reasonable excuse.
If Ms Dorras-Walker is successful, she will join Morgan Rickard as the second Greens-endorsed candidate on City of Darwin.
She ran on an open ticket and did no preference deals with rival candidates before the ballot.
City of Darwin has 13 elected members, including the Lord Mayor.
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