AS local government election vote-counting resumes today, running mates Brooke Sauer and Susannah Pearse are likely to return to the table – and Kelly James, Wayne Tighe, Dominique Hodgkinson and Peter Mailler are expected to join them.
Pearse leads the count clearly, with preferences projected to get Sauer over the line.
Pearse, Sauer and James were Moree Plains Shire councillors last term, with Pearse deputy mayor.
Pearse and her husband Oscar, own a farm east of Moree which has been in the family for six generations.
Pearse has a background in marketing, communications and economic development, and worked for Moree Plains Shire at a management level prior to being elected last term.
She said finalising the table for nine at Moree Plains Shire Council will be drawn-out.
“The counting of the vote is still continuing and may take several weeks to be finalised, with preference allocations likely to play a major role in the final outcomes,” Pearse said.
After surpluses are allocated, an exclusion process begins. Candidates with the lowest first preference are excluded and their preferences allocated. Candidates over quota are elected, with the process continuing until there are nine left standing.
“Regardless of the results, I would like to thank all candidates who put themselves forward so the people of the Moree Plains could make their choice from a wide selection.
“It’s tough to open yourself to the public scrutiny that comes with an election and it has been gratifying to see people prepared to do so with the best of intentions – not for their own gain but with a real desire to work together to propel the shire forwards,” she said.
“I have very much enjoyed getting to know many of the candidates who have toiled away, day in day out in what was a hugely busy week at pre-poll voting.
“Although it’s still early days, the support I have received in first preferences has been both heart-warming and humbling.”
Running mates Brooke Sauer (left) and Susannah Pearse are likely to be back for a second term.
Pearse said she looks forward to getting back to work for the people of the Moree Plains.
“Being a councillor is about diligent duty; working hard to understand the issues, listening to the community with respect, and making well-considered decisions. I am looking forward to getting on with that work at our first meeting, likely in October,” Pearse said.
“Thank-you to the people of the Moree Plains for putting your faith in me to represent you at the council table. It will be an honour to do so, in conjunction with the other eight councillors.”
Sauer also has a background in agriculture. She is head of research and development at PURE Grain, which recently held a hugely successful field day at Boolah Farms, near Pallamallawa.
“The count is still underway and I will not be celebrating the win until it is formally announced,” Sauer said.
“However, I am very humbled by the support and dedication of the residents of the Moree Plains in putting their faith in our group, with overwhelming votes for Susannah and myself, hopefully with me as the number ‘2’ on the ballot paper.
“If I’m elected, I am really looking forward to resuming the conversations with the local community to understand their view of the most pressing issues.
“As a councillor, my role is to make educated and informed decisions on behalf of the electorate and that means listening.
“There is a process and a very clear framework for decision-making. Many may feel unheard, however I would like to take this moment to say I do hear you, and I am diligent in presenting the facts, sharing the context and closing the loop with people in all instances,” she said.
“I hope I’m there for the first Council meeting in October and look forward to building on the progress we started in the previous term.
“I am very passionate about progress and propelling our entire shire forward. We need to deliberately create opportunities for the young people of this shire.
“This will not be solved in a single term at the table, nor with a few programs and a sprinkle of funding, but a co-ordinated and strategic approach to leveraging the state and federal investment into affordable housing, the special activation precinct, building our supply chain opportunities in agriculture, targeting social issues and youth crime,” she said.
The count continues today for all but one of the State’s 128 councils.
There are 3889 candidates vying for 1289 councillor positions across New South Wales, an increase from the last council elections held in 2021.
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said democracy was a vital part of society.
“Exercising your right to vote is an important responsibility,” Hoenig said.
“As someone who served in local government for over 30 years, I can attest that being a councillor is an honour that carries significant responsibility.
“Councils invest more than $15 billion each year delivering services and around $7 billion on infrastructure and community facilities.” he said.
