Challengers dominate Wentworth poll

FIVE new faces will join Wentworth Shire Council in the new year, following the finalisation of election results.
According to counting data released by the NSW Electoral Commission, challengers Peter Crisp, a former councillor and Victorian state MP, Daniel Linklater, Steve Cooper, Brian Beaumont and Jo Rodda each have secured enough votes to win one of the nine seats available.
They will join re-elected councillors Susan Nichols (Mayor), Deputy Mayor Tim Elstone, Greg Evans and Steve Heywood when the new council is sworn in next month.
Councillors Jane Mac Allister and Bill Wheeldon were unsuccessful in their re-election campaigns. Don McKinnon and Peter Nunan chose not to nominate for a further three-year term.
Challengers Ash Beechey, Kerry Roulston, Geoff Pegler, David Munday and Colin Thiele were unsuaccessful.
New councillor Daniel Linklater drew the most first-preference votes (831). Next was was Mr Crisp (495), then Mr Cooper (424).
The 2020 local government elections were postponed for 12 months until December 4 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A mayor will be elected in the new year.