Gordon Walsh, Gregson Lalara and Fabian Lalara elected to GARC Central Ward

The electoral commission has confirmed the winners of the inaugural Groote Archipelago Regional Council, after just 112 people turned out to vote.

Gordon Walsh, Fabian Lalara and Gregson Lalara have been elected as Councillors for Central Ward in the Groote Archipelago Regional Council Election.

Just a handful of votes have decided the winners of the inaugural Groote council election, after only 15.5 per cent of eligible voters turned out to cast a ballot

The Northern Territory Electoral Commission has confirmed Gordon Walsh, Fabian Lalara and Gregson Lalara as the three Central ward councillors for the Groote Archipelago Regional Council.

After preferences, Mr Walsh received 43 votes, Fabian Lalara 24 votes, and Gregson Lalara 13 votes – putting him only just ahead of unsuccessful candidate Rosalie Lalara’s 12 votes, and Leonard Amagula’s 11 votes.

They will join Mildred Mamarika and Constantine Mamarika (East Ward), and Violet Huddlestone and Kieranson Wurramara (West Ward) who were appointed without an election being held as the number of candidates was the same as the number of open positions.

In total 112 of the 724 registered voters participated in the election, which marks the return of local government to Groote since its amalgamation into East Arnhem Shire in 2008.

Local Government Minister Steve Edgington said the low voter turnout in Groote was “disappointing”, but that the Country Liberals remained committed to expanding the number of local governments in the NT as a way to empower regional and remote communities.

“It was disappointing that only 15.5 per cent of voters turned out for the Central Ward but it is indicative of low voter turnout for local government council elections across the Territory,” Mr Edgington said.

“In my Barkly electorate, for example, voter turnout was down almost 10 per cent, from 41.3 per cent in 2021 to 31.5 per cent in 2024.

“We remain committed to empowering bush communities and restoring control of communities to Aboriginal people and strengthening service delivery though local government representation.”

Originally published as Gordon Walsh, Gregson Lalara and Fabian Lalara elected to GARC Central Ward