A newly-elected group of Tweed Shire Councillors has been revealed following the finalisation of election results today.
The NSW Electoral Commission declared the results of the 4 December 2021 poll following distribution of preferences by the Tweed Returning Officer today, with 4 returning representatives and 3 new Councillors elected.
Candidates elected to Council by sequence of election are:
James Owen
Chris Cherry
Meredith Dennis*
Rhiannon Brinsmead *
Warren Polglase
Nola Firth*
Reece Byrnes
(*New to Council)
The election was finalised later than in previous years after the NSW Electoral Commission extended the return period for postal votes under its COVID-safe plan.
A total of 53,400 ballots were counted in the Tweed, representing an 80.41% turnout, with an informal vote of 6.33% recorded.
Tweed’s Acting General Manager Warren van Wyk thanked all candidates for their participation in the democratic process and welcomed the new Councillors on board.
“On behalf of all the staff at Council, I’d like to congratulate those who have been elected to represent our community and extend a warm welcome,” Mr van Wyk said.
“We are looking forward to working with our new Councillors in what promises to be an exciting term ahead.
“We are pleased to see the new Council includes 4 women following a push by the NSW Office of Local Government to encourage female representation in local government – the first time in our Council’s history that women have outnumbered men on the elected body.”
An extraordinary meeting will be held on Tuesday 11 January 2022 for Councillors to take the oath or affirmation of office and to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Councillors will participate in a comprehensive induction program, which has been developed in line with the Office of Local Government Guidelines, to prepare them for the rigours of the role.
The new Councillors will serve a reduced term of 2 years and 8 months as a result of the 2020 election being rescheduled.
