No Greens on Shoalhaven Council for first time in 16 years

After more than a decade, the Shoalhaven Council will officially be a Greens-free zone, with election results revealing extremely low numbers for all Greens candidates – including existing councillors.

Shoalhaven Council chambers.

The Greens’ multi-term rule of Shoalhaven Council is coming to an end with the coastal council set to be without any representation from the party for the first time in 16 years.

The mammoth restructuring of Shoalhaven Council comes amid extremely low votes for all Greens candidates in the 65k long, three ward local government area, outing potential Greens members and even existing councillors.

It also comes after outgoing Greens mayor Amanda Findley announced she would not be seeking re-election, following two terms in the top job.

Ms Findley – who was elected to council in 2008 before becoming one of two Greens mayors in NSW – previously revealed she was stepping aside due to the negative impact the gig had on her personal life.

“Your family suffers, your friends suffer, the people that you want to be spending time with, they don’t get to spend time with you,” she said.

Outgoing Shoalhaven Council mayor, Amanda Findley.

Her tenure as mayor saw the mayoral pay increase into a six-figure, $127,000 position and saw council narrowly dodge a mega 44 per cent rate rise across three years.

Now, with more than 65,000 votes counted in the Shoalhaven and with result certification this week, it is clear no Greens will serve on council.

The new Shoalhaven Council will be primarily independents.

Mrs Findley told this publication she was happy with her efforts, despite election results.

“I wish the new council all the best in the very difficult decisions they will need to take quickly over the coming months to maintain financial sustainability,” she said.

Mrs Findley said she was proud of her fellow Greens members who sat beside her on council since 2021.

Sitting councillors and Green Party members Tonia Gray, Evan Christen and Moo Dath lost their seats to independent candidates.

Outgoing Greens Shoalhaven Councillor, Tonia Gray.

Dr Gray said while she was disappointed, she respected the voters’ decision.

“The people have spoken,” she said.

“It is up to the new council to enact their election promises as outlined in their campaigns.”

However, Dr Gray said this was not the end of the Shoalhaven Greens.

“Unquestionably, we will be back in a stronger place for the next local election in 2028.”

Incoming Shoalhaven mayor, independent Patricia White.

Shoalhaven Independents Group leader and incoming mayor, Patricia White, said she was thrilled to see the major party exiting Shoalhaven Council, labelling their leadership a mess.

“I’m looking forward to rebuilding the reputation of the Shoalhaven Council,” Mrs White said.

“Right across the region, there was a mood for change.”

Mrs White said she was glad there would be less major parties in her local council.

“Council is returning to independents,” she said.

“We campaigned on getting major parties out of council and getting it back to an independent group who will listen directly to residents.”

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Originally published as No Greens on Shoalhaven Council for first time in 16 years