Initial election results

THE initial results for the Upper Hunter Shire Council elections are being tallied, but final results may not be available until December 17 and the final outcome on who will be Councillors may come down to preferences.

Lee Watts has had a typical landslide so far, currently having 27 percent of the vote, however if she will becomes Mayor will be decided by the Councillors elected to Council. While Maurice Collison has 19 percent of the vote, he may still become Mayor based on if members of his alliance become Councillors.

The results to date from highest to lowest primary votes are as follows:

Candidate –  Number of Primary Votes – Percentage of vote counted

1. Lee Watts – 1,026 – 27.32%
2. Maurice Collison – 725 – 19.3%
3. Ron Campbell – 329 – 8.79%
4. Elizabeth Flaherty – 282 – 7.51%
5. Sue Abbott – 271 – 7.22%
6. Adam Williamson – 219 – 5.83%
7. James Burns – 216 – 5.75%
8. Tayah Clout – 209 – 5.56%
9. Allison McPhee – 204 – 5.43%
10. Patricia Taylor – 137 – 3.65
11. Chris North – 70 – 1.86%
12. Belinda McKenzie – 68 – 1.81%