ALL current Cabonne councillors are tipped to retain their spot on council following Saturday’s local government election.
With the abolishment of the ward system, voters were given the option of voting above the line for groups of six candidates for the first time.
While votes are still being finalised, as of yesterday afternoon deputy mayor Ian Gosper was the most popular candidate, helping his group romp home with 34.6 per cent of the first preference votes.
By securing more than a third of the total first preference vote, three newcomers on Cr Gosper’s ticket, Michael Hayes, Marlene Nash and Jamie Jones, are also tipped to make it onto council.
Cr Kevin Walker, as leader of group A, is also expected to drag on three other group members including current councillors Anthony Durkin and Geoff Dean and newcomer Greg Treavors with the group’s 31.61 per cent first preference vote.
Group C lead by Cr Lachie MacSmith took home 23.2 per cent of the vote and looks to bring at least two additional group members Cr Sharon Wilcox and newcomer Ian Davison onboard.
Individual candidate Cr Janelle Culverson is tipped to hold on to her council seat bringing in 8.55 per cent of the first preference vote - as the second most popular candidate of the day.
clare.colley@ruralpress.com
