By Mitchell Clarke
Three newcomers will join six former councillors in representing Cardinia Shire Council over the next four years, after one of the most unprecedented election campaigns.
The highly-awaited results were officially revealed by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) just after 5pm on Thursday 5 November.
Incumbent councillors Jeff Springfield, Brett Owen, Graeme Moore, Collin Ross, Ray Brown and Carol Ryan were all re-elected in their respective wards.
Michael Schilling was the only former councillor to not retain his spot, after he was beaten in a narrow contest, despite winning the primary vote.
Former councillors Leticia Wilmot and Jodie Owen both announced their retirement from council at the end of the 2016-20 term.
The most recent mayor, Jeff Springfield, will represent the Ranges Ward after he was successful by virtue of an uncontested election.
Brett Owen won 65 percent of the primary vote to win the Beacon Hills Ward, beating Andrew McNabb who claimed 23 percent of the vote.
Graeme Moore was elected to represent Bunyip Ward after defeating Chris Andrews. Mr Moore won a total of 3905 votes after preferences were counted, securing 57 percent of the vote.
In Central Ward, returning councillor Collin Ross received 50 percent of the vote, obtaining 3494 first preferences, ahead of Naomi Horsely in second place who received 37.5 percent of the total vote.
Henty Ward was won by Carol Ryan, who scored 24 percent of the primary vote. She later managed to beat Andrew Cook after preference votes were distributed.
Ray Brown took out Westernport Ward in a narrow fight against Clean Up Cardinia candidate Kaye Cameron. Once preference votes were distributed, Mr Brown secured 52.69 percent of the vote.
Newcomer Stephanie Davies beat popular councillor Michael Schilling in Toomuc Ward. Mr Schilling received the most first preference votes, however preference votes pushed Ms Davies in the lead by just 66 votes.
Jack Kowarzik secured the Pakenham Hills Ward in the closest count of the election. He beat former Maribyrnong Council mayor John Cumming by just 56 votes.
Meanwhile, Officer Ward was won by Tammy Radford, who recorded 24.55 percent of the primary vote. With all preferences taken into account, she won comfortably against Daniel Cumming.
A mayor and deputy mayor will be elected in the council’s first statutory meeting on 23 November.
For our full detailed election coverage, grab the upcoming edition of the Gazette, out Wednesday 11 November.
