NSW Electoral Commission announces Goulburn Mulwaree councillors

The NSW Electoral Commission announced final results at 3.45pm Monday, following distribution of preferences.

READ MORE: Counting changes candidates' prospects for Goulburn Mulwaree Council

The councillors in order of election are:

Bob Kirk*

Michael Prevedello

Daniel Strickland

Jason Shepherd - Labor

Carol James*

Andy Wood - Shooters Fishers and Farmers

Peter Walker*

Andrew Banfield*

Steve Ruddell

Former mayor Bob Kirk was the only candidate to have reached the 1740 vote quota on first preferences but Michael Prevedello (sitting on 1554 primary votes) wasn't far behind. He benefited from Mr Kirk's preferences and achieved 0.89 of the quota.

But others, like Dan Strickland, had to wait until the seventh count to be elected.

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Andrew Banfield and Steve Ruddell were elected without reaching quota.

Former councillors Leah Ferrara (The Greens) and representative of 39 years, Margaret O'Neill have missed out on a place.

Labor just failed to achieve second-placed ticket runner Anna Wurth-Crawford's election. The group scored 1.7 of the quota but secured Jason Shepherd's election.

Bob Kirk has signalled his intention to once again stand as mayor at the first meeting on January 11.

He told The Post that three new faces were assured, given that Crs Denzil Sturgiss, Sam Rowland and Alfie Walker had decided to step down.

"I was a bit surprised there were five but all will add value to the place," he said.

"There is no doubt it is a very workable mix of representatives and I have no problem with what we have moving forward."

He paid tribute to Margaret O'Neill who served 39 years in local government, including as a former Goulburn City mayor.

Cr Kirk said it would be a "bitter pill to swallow" after so long and her contribution could not be ignored.

Likewise, Leah Ferrara was a "bright young prospect" he would have liked to have seen returned.

It will leave Carol James as the only female on the nine-member council. She was elected in 2008 and served two years as mayor.

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Newcomer Michael Prevedello said he was reasonably confident of election after securing a strong primary vote.

"I'm pretty pleased with the way the election turned out. It's really gratifying and the positive comments I received fit nicely into place."

He believed the experience of four existing councillors would be necessary but there was enough fresh blood to push fresh thinking.

Mr Prevedello has listed the Marulan wastewater treatment plant upgrade as a key priority but generally he intended to make decisions "solidly and for the long-term."

Mr Strickland said he was honoured to be elected and had a great deal of respect for the councillors who were re-elected.

"It's a good mix. Some people said we needed a completely new council but I don't think that would have been helpful," he said.

"...I work across the community (as Mission Australia area manager) and I look forward to being a voice and expressing people's concerns."

Labor ticket leader Jason Shepherd told The Post that it had taken the party several goes to secure election.

"I'm pretty excited and happy and ready to have a go," he said.

Although not securing two candidates in the line-up, he maintained that 1.7 times the quota was a good result. Mr Shepherd said he would have preferred more females on the council.

He has identified Wakefield Park raceway's viability and rural road improvements as high on his priority list.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers nominee, Andy Wood was elected with Peter Walker after Margaret O'Neill's preferences were exhausted.

"I was delighted and there was a sense of unreality when the numbers came out," he said.

"...The new council will refresh things and give people a new perspective."

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Mr Wood argued that Mr Kirk's preferences played a major role. Apart from his party and Labor, few other candidates had suggested the way people should vote.

Meantime, a Steve Ruddell is looking to put his year of council meeting observation to good use. He was elected in ninth spot.

"I'm pretty happy I made it across the line on my first attempt," he said.

"There are some good faces there and hopefully we can all row in the same direction."

He has four or five issues he wants to pursue, with Wakefield Park's future, wastewater treatment at Marulan and the Tarago waste to energy facility being at the top.

As in 2016, Andrew Banfield did not make quota but secured election in eighth position on preferences.

"I'm stoked and super excited. I was a bit worried for a while," he said.

Mr Banfield wants to see a master plan developed for Marulan, given its growth. He said millions of dollars had been thrown at Goulburn projects but Marulan needed "some love and structure."

He too wants to resolve the Wakefield Park stalemate. Contrary to some people's understanding, he said he did not vote against its continued operation, but opposed what he believed were unworkable consent conditions to ensure the raceway's viability.

The council poll will be officially declared on Wednesday.

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