Countback

CASEY Council will hold a countback of votes to determine the replacement for former Mayor Lorraine Wreford.
Ms Wreford was elected member for Mordialloc in November’s State Election and resigned from the council on Tuesday 7 December.
The Victorian Electoral Commission has advised the position will be filled through a countback of votes from the 2008 council election.
The countback will be held at The City of Casey offices at Magid Drive, Narre Warren at 11am Thursday 13 January 2011.
City of Casey Mayor Shar Balmes thanked Ms Wreford for her ‘significant and valuable contribution to the Casey community over the past seven years.’
“Not only was she a hard-working and dedicated councillor for the residents of Springfield Ward, but she also achieved many wonderful outcomes for the Casey community during her term as mayor this year,” Cr Balmes said.
“Ms Wreford was passionate about a number of key issues towards which she made significant contributions. These include addressing the issue of housing affordability, protecting Casey’s prime agricultural land from sprawling urban growth, supporting Casey’s business community and facilitating local jobs, and working to improve community health and well-being.
“I would also like to congratulate Ms Wreford on her recent election to State Parliament.”
Ms Wreford was first elected to council in November 2003, and re-elected in 2005 and 2008. She served as mayor in 2009-10.
Victorian Electoral Commission Returning Officer David Triplow said countbacks were used to fill vacancies in multi-councillor wards and unsubdivided municipalities if a councillor resigned or was ineligible to hold office.
“Those candidates who were unsuccessful at the general election and are still eligible to be elected will be included in the countback,” he said.