MILDURA’S longest-serving mayor Glenn Milne is off to a flying start in the early stages of counting in this year’s local government elections.
Eighteen candidates are vying for nine positions in the Mildura Rural City Council election, with Cr Milne well ahead in first preference votes with 12 per cent of the count complete.
At the end of counting on Wednesday, Cr Milne had 823 first preference votes, almost double that of his closest rival Liam Wood on 441, followed by celebrity cook Stefano de Pieri with 435 votes.
With just over 5000 of the 40,000 eligible votes counted, four of the five councillors recontesting this year’s elections are in the top nine, with Jason Modica sitting fourth (381 votes), Mark Eckel fifth (363) and Helen Healy seventh (327).
Newcomer and Millewa farmer Ian Arney is in sixth spot with 356 primary votes, Jodi Reynolds eighth (270) and Katie Clements ninth (242).
Gavin Sedgmen, who unsuccessfully ran for council at the 2016 election but was subsequently elected following the redistribution of preferences in November 2018 following the death of Cr Max Thorburn, was in 14th position late on Wednesday with 154 votes.
Ahead if him were Cyndi Power (240 votes, 10th), Troy Bailey (203, 11th), Dean Wickham (168, 12th) and Kym Kingdon (161, 13th).
Bringing up the rear in the early stages of the count were Julie Waters (148, 15th), Domenico Capogreco (133, 16th), Angy Fikaris (84, 17th) and Paul O’Neill (82, 18th).
The Victorian Electoral Commission office said it expected a clear picture of results for Mildura on Wednesday next week, given Tuesday is a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup.
Mildura will also require a new mayor and deputy mayor, with Simon Clemence and Min Poole opting out of this year’s race.
Long-serving councillor Greg Brown and Anthony Cirillo also chose not to contest this year’s poll.
The number of those contesting this year’s Mildura election is well short of the 28 candidates who offered their services in 2016.
Mildura’s annual council meeting has been scheduled for 5.30pm on Tuesday, November 17.
