Eight of Bass Coast Shire’s new councillors have been decided but one position hangs in the balance.
The VEC released preliminary results for Bunurong and Island Ward on Friday and for Western Port Ward on Monday.
In Bunurong, where five candidates are contesting three positions, former Bass Coast mayor Brett Tessari took out almost half of the first preference votes.
New candidate Leticia Laing is almost certain to take the second position, but the third position is too close to call. The distribution of preferences from Cr Tessari’s excess votes will determine which of the other three candidates – sitting councillors Les Larke or Julian Brown or new candidate Michael Nugent – secures the final spot.
The VEC released preliminary results for Bunurong and Island Ward on Friday and for Western Port Ward on Monday.
In Bunurong, where five candidates are contesting three positions, former Bass Coast mayor Brett Tessari took out almost half of the first preference votes.
New candidate Leticia Laing is almost certain to take the second position, but the third position is too close to call. The distribution of preferences from Cr Tessari’s excess votes will determine which of the other three candidates – sitting councillors Les Larke or Julian Brown or new candidate Michael Nugent – secures the final spot.
In Westernport Ward, where four candidates were contesting three positions, sitting councillors Bruce Kent and Claire Le Serve have been returned. They will be joined by new councillor Rochelle Halstead. Sitting councillor Geoff Ellis has missed out.
In Island Ward, only one councillor, Michael Whelan, recontested and he was on top of the table after preliminary counting. He will be joined on the 2020-24 council by new councillors Ron Bauer and David Rooks.
The VEC cautions that late votes are still to be counted and preferences to be distributed. It will declare the poll on Friday and the new council will be sworn in on Monday.