THE final tally is in and new councillors elected, with the latest and final counts being published by the NSW Electoral Commission today, December 21 following the distribution of preferences. 

While Narromine, Cobar, and Bourke shires went without an election this year after the candidate pool failed to exceed the amount of positions available, most shires around the Western Plains have been restlessly awaiting the announcement following election day on December 4. 

Coonamble

The final votes were posted for Coonamble this morning, revealing which 9 councillors will fill the seats for the next term, with eight candidates to miss out on the position. 

As announced today, the new councillors are Terence Lees (Eccles), Ahmed Karanough (Al), Barbara Deans, Pat Cullen, Brian Sommerville, Tim Horan, Adam Cohen, Karen Churchill, and Bill Fisher. 

The margin between the last elected candidate Barbara Deans and the last excluded candidate Steven Smith (Jay Jay) was six.

Brewarrina

Brewarrina’s final count came in yesterday, December 20, where 6 counts of voting revealed the newest 9 councillors for the shire. With ten candidates in the running, only one candidate missed out.

The new councillors for Brewarrina are Vivian Slack-smith, Douglas Gordon, Mark Brown, Donna Jeffries, Angelo Pippos, Noel Sheridan, Trish Frail, Isaac Gordon, and Thomas Stanton.

The margin between the last elected candidate Trish Frail and the excluded candidate Lily Shearer was 19. 

Bogan

With 11 candidates in the running for nine seats in the Bogan shire, two candidates were excluded from becoming the newest councillors for the shire.

The councillors elected are Victoria Boag, Graham Jackson, Glen Neill, Tony Elias, Greg Deacon, Richard Milligan, Douglas Menzies, Karl Bright, and Jodi Douglas.

The margin between the last elected candidate Douglas Menzies and Michael Hoare was 12.

Gilgandra

Of the eleven candidates in Gilgandra, only nine could be elected to fill the seats for the approaching term. 

The successful Gilgandra candidates are Gregory Peart, Amber Bunter, Brian Mockler, Noel Mudford, Paul Mann, Ash Walker, Doug Batten, Ian Freeth, and Gail Babbage. 

The margin between the last elected candidate Brian Mockler and the last excluded candidate Helen Naef was 25.

Warrumbungle

In a huge race for council, 17 candidates were in the running for only nine councillors to be elected. The final votes were announced this morning. 

Councillors for the commencing term are Zoe Holcombe, Denis Todd, Dale Hogden, Aniello Iannuzzi, Ambrose Doolan, Jason Newton, Kathryn Rindfleish, Carlton Kopke, and Kodi Brady. 

The margin between the last elected candidate Zoe Holcome and the last excluded candidate Jack Ayoub was 165. 

Warren

In Warren, three of the four wards held election, with C Ward having an uncontested election and therefore no need to vote. 

In A Ward, Heather Druce, Greg Whitely, and Noel Kinsey pulled ahead, leaving two candidates behind. The margin between the last elected candidate Noel Kinsey and the last excluded candidate Pauline Serdity was 18. 

In B Ward, Milton Quigley, Ros Jackson, and Sarah Derret came out on top, securing the top spots of five candidates in the running. The margin between the last elected candidate Sarah Derrett and the last excluded candidate Mark Bermingham was 25. 

In D Ward, Dirk McCloskey, Andrew Brewer, and Jo Van Eldonk will be the newest councillors. The margin between the last elected candidate Jo Van Eldonk and the last excluded candidate Kelly Sinclair was 5. 

Walgett

Competition was high to score one of the nine seats in Walgett, with sixteen candidates chasing down the top spots.

The prevailing candidates making the newest councillors are Colin Hundy, Daniel Walford, Alf Seaton, Sue Currey, Jane Keir, Ian Woodcock, Michael Cooke, Jasen Ramien, and Greg Rummery. 

The margin between the last elected candidate Jane Keir and the last excluded candidate Jo Coleman was three. 

Lachlan

In the Lachlan Shire, four out of five wards ran uncontested, with no election held in A, B, C, and D Wards. 

In E Ward, Judith Bartholomew and Paul Phillips scored the two seats available, beating out two other candidates. 

The margin between the last elected candidate Paul Phillips and the last excluded candidate Allan Johnston was 166. 

THE mayors for the next term will be elected during each council's next meeting, where the new councillors will nominate and vote between themselves.