Updated version of an earlier story

The results of the first day of counting in the Local Government election results are out, although postal votes have yet to be included and there are likely to be many rounds of preference counting to follow before all of the positions are declared.

Below are the key results from those councils who went to vote in our coverage area yesterday:

Bogan Shire Council

In Bogan Shire Council, Mayor Glen Neill got the overwhelming majority of 35.90 per cent of the first preference votes counted so far, but another 600 votes of the 1934 residents are yet to be counted.

The Mayor was miles ahead of his counterparts with fellow councillor Karl Bright the nearest at 12.49 per cent of the first preference votes so far.

With ten candidates standing for the nine positions, it is too early to say who will miss out after preferences are distributed.

Bourke Shire Council

With the votes of only 962 of the 1733 electors counted on Saturday, and ten councillors to be elected out of 14 candidates, the results are far from clear.

Currently, just a few percentage points are separating Patricia Bates-Canty on 12.59 per cent of the first preference votes, Maxime Nina on 10.89 per cent and Scott McAdam with 10.35 per cent.

Brewarrina Shire Council

In Brewarrina, just over half of the 945 voters' first preferences have been counted.

Mayor Vivian Slack-Smith was the clear front runner in the first preference votes, with 16.46 per cent.  Deputy mayor Angelo Pippos is close behind on 15.21 per cent and newcomer Belinda Colless is performing well on 11.46 per cent.

Coonamble Shire Council

At close of counting on Saturday night, Coonamble Shire Council newcomer Daniel Keady had 15 per cent of the first preference votes, with Pip Goldsmith at 12.13 per cent. Paul Fisher and former mayor Al Karanouh were close behind with just over 10 per cent of the votes each.

With around 900 votes still to be counted, and preferences to be distributed, it is still unclear which five candidates will not make it into Council. However Karen Churchill, Steve Butler, Adam Cohen and Paul Wheelhouse are the strongest contenders at this stage.

Gilgandra Shire Council

There are also 900 votes to be counted for Gilgandra Shire Council, with ten candidates vying for nine council roles.

Ashley Walker is polling most favourably, with 15.56 per cent of the first preference votes, followed by Madeline Foran on 12.88 per cent, Ian Freeth on 12.28 per cent and Paul Mann on 11.78 per cent. 

Again it will all come down to postals and preferences.

Lachlan Shire Council

In Lachlan, only Ward C was required to vote, with Wards A and B uncontested.

Jaunita Wighton has a strong result with 57.20 per cent of the first preference votes, followed by Peter Harris with 34.16 per cent. However only 253 votes out of an enrolled 835 have been counted.

Narromine Shire Council

Fifteen candidates are fighting for nine council positions in Narromine.

After the first day of counting Ewen Jones is leading the poll, with 16.74 per cent of the first preferences of 3371 of a total of 4703 voters, followed by long-term mayor Craig Davies on 13.91 per cent and Judy Smith on 11.98 per cent.

Walgett Shire Council

In Walgett Shire Council, nine councillors are to be elected from 13 candidates.

With only half the vote counted (no pre-polls or postals done yesterday) Mayor Jasen Ramien may have a comfortable return to council with 18.13 per cent of the first preference votes, followed by fellow councillor Alfred Seaton with 16.14 per cent. 

Warren Shire Council

In Warren Shire Council, only voters in Ward C were required to vote, with Wards A, B and D uncontested.

Results from Saturday’s vote for Ward C saw David Cleasby with a comfortable majority on 38.93 per cent of the first preference votes ahead of Mark Kelly on 35.11 per cent. Distribution of preferences is likely to decide the third spot, although only 273 of the 468 votes have been counted.