Sue Hickey elected in Glenorchy by-election

Sue Hickey has been elected as mayor of Glenorchy City Council. Here’s what she says will change.

Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey and President of SARAH Group Peter Frazer. Picture: Chris Kidd

Updated: Justin Stringer has been elected to fill the vacant councillor position on Glenorchy City Council.

Mr Stringer ended up with 53.5 per cent of the vote, ahead of Greens candidate, Nina Hamasaki.

Earlier: Sue Hickey has been elected as Glenorchy mayor after counting resumed on Saturday morning.

Ms Hickey said she there were several issues she would focus on as new mayor.

“I will focus on cleaning up the city, repairing and reopening the Glenorchy Pool, addressing graffiti and anti-social behaviour, and fighting against racism,” she said.

“I want our city to be vibrant and safe for people to live, invest, and visit.

“Glenorchy is growing at approximately 500 people each year, and the average age of our population is around 40, so younger people will want to see modern amenities, affordable houses, more sports facilities, and job opportunities.”

Ms Hickey said she wanted to improve transparency on the council.

“The days of decision-making behind closed doors are over,” Ms Hickey said.

“Importantly, we no longer suffer from terminal debt, our rates are low, and the Council is well-resourced with a passionate and highly qualified workforce.”

Ms Hickey has served on the Glenorchy City Council for nearly three years and has also spent time as an MP in the House of Assembly and as mayor of the Hobart City Council.

“I am told that I am the first Mayor to have been a Mayor of two cities,” she said.

“From my decade of local government, I know that councils play a vital role in the liveability of their city, so being open, transparent, and consultative is the best practice for me.”

Hickey poised to win in Glenorchy

June 21, 5:10pm

Acting Glenorchy mayor Sue Hickey is all but guaranteed to secure the top job on council, after counting got underway for local government by-elections on Friday morning.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission stopped counting just after 5pm, at which point Ms Hickey had received 48.42 per cent of votes.

Sue Hickey. Picture: Linda Higginson

Shane Alderton will be excluded when the count resumes, and his votes distributed, leaving Ms Hickey and councillor Russell Yaxley in the count.

But Mr Yaxley held far less of the vote when counting ceased - 30.42 per cent.

Ms Hickey has served on the Glenorchy City Council for nearly three years and has also spent time as an MP in the House of Assembly and as mayor of the Hobart City Council.

Ms Hickey will replace Bec Thomas, who was elected to the Legislative Council last month.

In the race to fill the councillor vacancy, Greens candidate Nina Hamasaki is currently leading; She’s one of seven candidates still a chance to be elected.

On Friday Ms Hamasaki held 17.51 per cent of votes, and behind her were Justin Stringer and Marilena Di Florio, who each held 15 per cent

Results finalised for Sorell

Janet Gatehouse has been elected mayor of the Sorell Council.

At the end of the count Ms Gatehouse ended up with nearly 54 per cent of the vote, ahead of Melinda Reed.

“It’s very exciting, I’ve had my regular Friday at the Sorell school canteen, I tried to focus on the job at hand of the day,” Ms Gatehouse said.

“There’s a big smile on my face, I’m feeling very positive and happy with the outcome.”

Janet Gatehouse

The new mayor said the region had experienced strong growth, and there was work to do to support it.

“I’ve worked with the young people at the school for a long time, I have my own children,” she said.

“I’ve always said that families here should be able to grow in the community and the children stay here. Its about creating a stable community and generational network.”

“I’d like to see the services we have continue to grow … seeking out new health services.

“The majority of us have to go over the bridge if we need anything more than a GP, we definitely lack health services.

“Kerry’s (Vincent) given us such a strong foundation, it’s just continuing his work

Ms Gatehouse said she was also excited to work with Michael Larkins, who was elected to fill the vacant councillor position.

“Michael Larkins will be a real asset with his business mind and community heart,” she said.

“We have a fantastic opportunity to work with a great council, we’re all one team.”

Michael Larkins fills Sorell vacancy

June 21, 3pm

Michael Larkins has been elected to the Sorell Council out of five candidates.

The seat was made vacant after the resignation of former mayor Kerry Vincent, who was elected to the Legislative Council last month.

Mr Larkins won the count with 51.22 per cent of the count, with less than three per cent separating him and runner up, Kristian Horvath.

Mr Larkins is also in the race for mayor.

In Glenorchy’s race to fill the vacant councillor seat, Nina Hamasaki leads the field of 11 candidates, after receiving 14.47 per cent of first preference votes.

Matt Haubrick is the first to be excluded from the count.

Sue Hickey in the lead for Glenorchy mayor

June 21, 2:15

Sue Hickey looks set to be elected mayor of Glenorchy City Council, after she received 40 per cent of first preference votes.

Acting Glenorchy mayor Sue Hickey

At first count, Ms Hickey received 9,108 votes.

As the count continues, candidates will be excluded and their votes will be distributed, according to voter preferences.

The first to be excluded in the race for mayor is Matt Haubrick, who is still hoping to secure a seat on the council.

He is one of 11 candidates vying for the vacant seat.

Counting began at 9am for the Sorell and Glenorchy by-elections, and a mayoral result for each council is expected today.

In Sorell, Janet Gatehouse holds a small lead over Melinda Reed in the race for mayor.

Ms Gatehouse has 26.6 per cent of the current vote, just over three per cent more than Ms Reed.

Jeffrey Blake and Jason Spence have been excluded from the count.

Counting to begin on Glenorchy and Sorell by-elections

June 21, 5am

Polls have closed and counting will begin on Friday to decide who will be the new mayors of the Glenorchy and Sorell councils.

Voting was conducted via postal ballot over the last few weeks, and Thursday was the last chance for votes to be dropped off in person at council offices.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of mayors Bec Thomas in Glenorchy and Kerry Vincent in Sorell, both of whom were elected to the Legislative Council last month.

To replace them, there are seven candidates for mayor in both Glenorchy and Sorell.

Each council will also elect a new councillor to fill the vacant seats left by Ms Thomas and Mr Vincent.

Declaration of the poll at the Legislative Council steps, Hobart Greens Cassy O’Connor, Prosser Liberal Kerry Vincent and Elwick independent Bec Thomas. Picture: Chris Kidd

There are five candidates for councillor in Sorell and 11 candidates for councillor in Glenorchy.

Voting is local government elections is compulsory, but as of Wednesday, only 40 per cent of electors had returned their ballots.

Those eligible to vote, who failed to do so risk a $39 fine, which will increase if ignored. “The consequence of ignoring a non-voter notice is not always fully understood,” Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said.

“The cost of the fine increases and electors may find they are unable to renew their drivers licence if their fines are left unpaid.”

The TEC will begin counting votes from 9am on Friday.

Glenorchy voters can also soon expect a result on the elector poll, included with their ballot papers.

The poll, on the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool, will include two questions: whether voters support the urgent repair and reopening of the pool, and whether the council should apply for funding to redevelop the pool to serve the community in the long term.