Landslide for Lee

LEE Watts has created another landslide in the Upper Hunter Shire Council elections, securing more than 25 percent of the first preferences counted.

Lee Watts creates another landslide in the local government elections.

To date 4,916 formal votes have been counted, but there is estimated to be another 3,000 votes from pre-poll, plus postal votes to be counted this week.

The quota for this year has not been established until the total number of formal votes is confirmed, but at the last election it was 708.

Lee Watts said she was humbled by the overwhelming support from the community.

“It is incredible to have 25 percent of the votes at this stage, I am glad the community want me there,” said Mrs Watts.

“I was hopeful that I would get the quota and get in, but you never take anything for granted and this time with 13 in the race there are no real certainties,” she said.

“The preferences will make a big difference in this election for who will get a seat.

“There could actually be candidates on the bottom at the moment who could get in once the second preferences flow and also as candidates are eliminated and their votes get passed on, so I wouldn’t be counting anyone out of the race yet,” Lee Watts said.

Based on the quota of 708 at the last election Lee Watts is the only certainty of having a seat at this stage.

The candidates in order of first preferences so far:

• 1,276 – Lee Watts – 25.96%
• 707 – Maurice Collison – 14.38%
• 551 – Wayne Bedggood – 11.21%
• 430 – Ron Campbell – 8.75%
• 366 – Sue Abbott – 7.45%
• 340 – Lorna Driscoll – 6.92%
• 323 – Joshua Brown – 6.57%
• 288 – Kiwa Fisher – 5.86%
• 208 – James Burns – 4.23%
• 202 – Deirdre Peebles – 4.11%
• 132 – Liam Garment – 2.69%
• 77 – Arthur Wright – 1.57%
• 16 – Debra Haydon – 0.33%