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Four New Councillors Elected To Bass Coast (From L-R) Cr Peter Paul, Cr John Duscher, Cr Gareth Barlow, Cr Kelly Simrajh, Cr Veronica Dowman, Cr Neville Goodwin and Cr Ross Smith. The result of the fourth Bass Coast Shire Council election was announced at 6pm on Sunday 27 November, with voters returning three sitting and four new members. By Bass Coast Shire - 29th November 2005 - Back to News The result of the fourth Bass Coast Shire Council election was announced at 6pm last night, Sunday 27 November, with voters returning three sitting and four new members.
The fourth elected Bass Coast Shire Council is:
- Anderson ward: Neville Goodwin
- Churchill ward: Gareth Barlow
- Hovell ward: John Duscher
- Leadbeater ward: Veronica Dowman
- McHaffie ward: Kelly Simrajh
- Thompson ward: Peter Paul
- Townsend ward: Ross Smith
Voter turnout averaged 73.9 percent across the wards. Anderson, Hovell and Townsend ward recorded the highest voter turnout, with Churchill and McHaffie registering the lowest. An average of 2.47 percent of the votes across all wards were informal.
Breakdown of results:
Anderson ward was decided on first preference voting, with Cr Neville Goodwin winning 58.4 percent of the vote, over 1,200 votes ahead of the nearest candidate Chris McRae.
Churchill ward was also decided on first preference voting, with Cr Gareth Barlow winning 54.2 percent of the vote, 300 votes clear of his opponent, former Churchill councillor Loretta Leslie.
Hovell ward saw Cr John Duscher returned to office in a tight contest with Jo Beasley. First preference votes saw Cr Duscher with a lead of 499. Distribution of preferences reduced this to 99 votes, a margin which gave Cr Duscher 51.2 percent of the vote and a return to Council.
Leadbeater ward was also strongly contested, with Cr Dowman winning the election in a close battle with the incumbent John Hulley. Cr Dowman secured 47 percent of first preference votes, with a margin of 514 over Mr Hulley. After distribution of preferences, that lead rose to 666 and secured the win for Cr Dowman.
McHaffie ward saw Cr Kelly Simrajh returned, winning 44 percent of first preference votes, 1,032 votes clear of the nearest rival Donald Cameron. Distribution of preferences saw Cr Simrajh’s percentage of the vote rise to 51.4, still clear by over 1,000 votes.
Thompson ward saw Cr Peter Paul elected on first preference votes in a contest with former Thompson councillor Ross Fairhurst. Cr Paul won 60.8 percent of the vote with a lead of 840.
Townsend ward was won by Cr Ross Smith, who secured 50.1 percent of the vote after the distribution of preferences. His nearest rival was former Townsend ward councillor, David Taylor who was 906 votes behind Cr Smith once preferences had been allocated.
The new Council was sworn in on Monday 28th November at 4.30 pm at the Civic Centre in Wonthaggi. A new mayor will be elected Monday 5 December at 6pm.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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