Key Council Roles Still Undecided

April 3, 2020

Almost a week after the South Burnett went to the polls, some key positions in local councils are still undecided.

In the South Burnett, accountant Brett Otto leads incumbent Keith Campbell for Mayor with over 80 per cent of the vote counted.

The position in Division 6 is a nail-biter, with the official tally showing incumbent Ros Heit ahead of rival Scott Henschen by just 14 votes.

She has been in this position before, winning the 2013 by-election by just three votes. Her margin at the 2016 poll was a healthier 723.

There is no doubt over the winners of Divisions 1-5:

• Division 1 – Roz Frohloff (uncontested)

• Division 2 – Gavin Jones (uncontested)

• Division 3 – Danita Potter

• Division 4 – Kirstie Schumacher (defeated incumbent Terry Fleischfresser)

• Division 5 – Kathy Duff

In Cherbourg, Elvie Sandow will take over the mayoral role from incumbent Arnold Murray.

The distribution of preferences may determine the four councillors to be elected.

In Gympie, Glen Hartwig has an unassailable leader over incumbent mayor Mick Curran.

Hilary Smerdon has been easily re-elected in Division 6 which covers the Goomeri-Kilkivan-Widgee area.

In Toowoomba, as previously reported, Paul Antonio has swept away all challengers as Mayor.

The complicated count to determine the 10 councillors’ position continues.

Incumbent councillors Bill Cahill, Nancy Sommerfield, Megan O’Hara Sullivan, Geoff McDonald, Carol Taylor and James O’Shea have attracted strong support along with newcomers Rebecca Vonhoff, Melissa Taylor and Kerry Shine but preferences have not yet been distributed.

• Related link: Mood For Change Sweeps Councils

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South Burnett Regional Council

At 5:30pm, Tuesday:

Mayor – 82.37 per cent – Official First Preference Count

*Keith Campbell – 6747
Abigail Andersson – 2765
Brett Otto – 7330
Toni Ralph – 1580
Informal – 530

Division 3 – 79.60 per cent – Official First Preference Count

Rhonda Trivett – 755
*Danita Potter – 2357 – DECLARED
Informal – 122

Division 4 – 83.69 per cent – Official First Preference Count

Kirstie Schumacher – 2250 – DECLARED
*Terry Fleischfresser – 965
Informal – 54

Division 5 – 83.30 per cent – Official First Preference Count

Colleen Bird – 461
*Kathy Duff – 2609 – DECLARED
Informal – 38

Division 6 – 81.90 per cent – Official First Preference Count

*Ros Heit – 1505
Scott Henschen – 1493
Informal – 88

* Sitting councillors

* * *

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council

At 4:42pm, Monday:

Mayor – 77.18 per cent – Official First Preference Count

Sylvia McGregor – 31
*Arnold Murray – 28
Gordon Wragge – 54
Elvie Sandow – 119
Elgan Leedie – 33
Katrina Watson – 25
Max Conlon – 69
Lillian Gray – 12
Informal – 1

Councillors – 75.31 per cent – Official First Preference Count (four to be elected)

Bronwyn Douglas – 216
Leighton Costello – 214
Fred Cobbo – 213
Norm Hegarty – 114
*Tom Langton – 242
Lynette Brown – 134
Eric Law Snr – 141
*James Saltner – 166
Informal – 12

* Sitting councillors

* * *

Gympie Regional Council

At 5:30pm, Tuesday:

Mayor – 78.47 per cent – Unofficial Preliminary Count

Glen Hartwig – 14,403
*Mick Curran – 9541
Tim Jerome – 4389
Informal – 1003

Division 6 – 81.38 per cent – Unofficial Preliminary Count

*Hilary Smerdon – 2066
Brian Thomas – 892
Mikki Lawson – 715
Informal – 161

* Sitting councillors

* * *

Toowoomba Regional Council

At 5:30pm, Tuesday:

Mayor – 81.92 per cent – Official First Preference Count

Douglas Doelle – 7372
*Paul Antonio – 65,716
Chris Meibusch – 17,542
Informal – 3699

Councillors  – 73.86 per cent – Official First Preference Count (10 to be elected)

*Bill Cahill – 44,666
David King – 11,938
*Nancy Sommerfield – 43,792
Lindy Eising – 13,821
Carol McCabe – 18,737
Petria Grabham – 19,323
Chelle McIntyre – 15,937
Michael Truskinger – 21,720
Warren Midgley – 18,391
Rita Clarke – 13,092
Robert Relvas – 9446
Lizzie Adams – 24,566
*Megan O’Hara Sullivan – 46,661
Kirsten Smolenski – 19,429
Michael Flanigan – 19,832
*Geoff McDonald – 48,794
*James O’Shea – 45,299
Kevin Flanagan – 24,140
Rob Berry – 13,342
Tim Entwistle – 21,611
Garry Humphries – 24,265
Ben Apsey – 22,223
Melissa Taylor – 39,063
David Campbell – 24,321
Aaron Goldie – 15,056
Kerry Shine – 44,363
Alyce Nelligan – 11,440
Joy Mingay – 24,736
*Carol Taylor – 46,525
Eakraj Adhikari – 10,752
Tim McMahon – 31,719
Rebecca Vonhoff – 51,170
Informal – 10,336

* Sitting councillors

[UPDATED with correction]

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