Long road still ahead for remaining candidates

With about 75 per cent of votes counted, Colleen Fuller dominated the Gunnedah Shire Council election, winning almost 33 per cent of first preference votes – at least 2262 votes by the last count earlier this week. Read more about it here: Big majority for Fuller in Gunnedah Shire Council election – Gunnedah Times

Rest of the field

One of the next highest on the 11 Gunnedah shire candidates was Tammey McAllan.

By the last count, Ms McAllan had polled 11.19 per cent or 768 first preference votes to reach the required quota.

The retained firefighter and expected first-term councillor, described herself as a passionate mum of two sons who is committed to “working for, caring for and preparing the community for a better future”.

Ms McAllan was pleasantly “shocked” about the strong early result. Family members were also delighted to see polling go well.

“My two boys were ecstatic … dad was very proud too,” she said.

Ms McAllan acknowledged the strong sense of community and camaraderie shown by all candidates during election campaign.

Another first-term councillor expected to be elected to Gunnedah Shire Council is Linda Newell who recorded 10.18 per cent, 699 votes.

“I was very surprised and humbled by the result,” she said.

Ms Newell described the election campaign as an “interesting new experience” and one she was incredibly grateful for the help received.

“I’ve had some very kind texts from the community,” she said.

Linda previously said that running for local council was her opportunity to give back, listen and represent the community to the best of her ability.

Other candidates expected to be elected include returning councillors Rob Hooke (9.28 per cent) and Robert Hoddle (7.38 per cent).

“I am very grateful to be given opportunity to serve on Gunnedah Shire Council and am looking forward to the challenges of the office,” Mr Hoddle said.

Mr Hooke said there was “unfinished business”, primarily with the SRV but also on rural roads where “far more emphasis” was needed. He was enthused by the opportunity to bring new councillors into the fold.

They are expected to be joined by colleagues Kate McGrath (6.85 per cent) and Ann Luke (6.54 per cent), pending the distribution of preferences.

Ms McGrath was the only Gunnedah candidate to run with party (Labor) affiliation, which she said was an effort to be as transparent as possible in regards to her political association.

Should she be elected, Ms McGrath’s first priority would be to “get back to basics” for the community.

“It’s not the time to be building monuments for ourselves,” she said.

Ann Luke said despite some way to go before an official election result was known, the early signs were positive for her return to the council chambers.

“It feels good, I’ve enjoyed my time on council but I have a lot more to offer,” she said.

On the SRV, Ms Luke said her next steps would guided by the results of the community consultation survey. “This is me representing the community … democracy in action,” she said.

The ninth and final councillor position remained close earlier this week with less than 10 first preference votes separating Juliana McArthur (5.23 per cent) and Mitchum Neave (5.01 per cent).

Votes will continue to be counted in the coming weeks with postal vote returns not due until September 27. The final declaration of the vote results will be made early next month.

According to the NSW Electoral Commission, there were 9409 residential and non-residential electors were enrolled in the Gunnedah shire on August 5 but electors could continue to enrol up to and including election day.

People who did not vote at the election, and didn’t have a valid reason, will receive a ‘fail to vote’ notice in the post. The penalty for not voting in NSW is a $55 fine and people must respond within 28 days of the issue date of the notice.

The NSWEC said it was important people understood about upcoming elections in their area as not knowing about an election is not a valid reason for failing to vote. People can sign up to our free SMS or email election reminder service to receive reminders about upcoming state and local elections and by-elections.