With more than 60 per cent of the votes counted in last Saturday's council elections current mayor of Singleton Sue Moore (Independent) looks like she will be returned for a second term.
She is well ahead of her two main rivals Danny Thompson (Independent) and Labor's Tony Jarrett with 37 per cent of the first preference vote - 4049 votes compared to Mr Thompson with 3190 votes or 29 cent cent and Mr Jarrett with 2386 votes 21 per cent of the count to date. In fourth place was the newcomer Belinda Charlton (Independent) 1317 votes - 12 per cent.
In the Singleton Local Government Area there were 17,080 residential and non-residential electors enrolled on October 25, 2021. On Wednesday morning the NSW Electoral Commission had counted 11,388 ballots in the Mayoral contest and 11,232 for the position of councillor.
This year's election was unlike any other thanks to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic where in comparison to this year's Upper Hunter by-election pre-polling and the election day were not dominated by candidates and their supporters handing out how to vote pamphlets.
No close contacts this time around making it a very quiet and empty space at the polling booths.
Once again Mrs Moore had gained the most votes in the councillor race although should she win the mayoral contest that will mean the other candidates will be contesting the nine councillor positions.
In the councillor elections Mrs Moore has gained nearly 24 per cent of the first preference count with 2431 votes.
Her mayoral contestants Mr Thompson is next with just over 19 per cent of the vote with 1949 votes followed by Mr Jarrett with 1307 or nearly 13 per cent of the ballots counted.
On these figures Mr Thompson and Mr Jarrett will be returning to council for another term.
Among the newcomers Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Mel McLachlan is likely to be elected with 995 votes or just over 9 per cent of the vote. Gaining number one position on the ballot could see current councillor Godfrey Adamthwaite (Independent) likely to be returned with 688 votes.
Of the five remaining councillor positions the best placed on current figures are Belinda Charlton 598 votes, Hollee Jenkins (Independent) 365, Sarah Johnstone (Labor) 358, Val Scott (Independent) 273 and Sue George (Independent) 248.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
