General News
7 November, 2024
Newcomer tops provisional vote count for West Wimmera Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council provisional election results released.
The Victoria Electoral Commission has released provisional results for the West Wimmera Shire Council's 2024 local government election with one former mayor eliminated after a flow of preferences.
First-time councillor Helen Hobbs was the first successful candidate, after receiving 26.16 per cent of the first preference votes (664 votes).
Joining her, incumbent councillors Tim Meyer, Jodie Pretlove, Richard Hicks and Tom Houlihan will return to the council chambers for another term.
Mr Meyer received 547 first preference votes (21.55 per cent), Ms Pretlove received 535 first preference votes (21.08 per cent), Mr Hicks received 295 first preference votes (11.62 per cent), and Mr Houlihan received 312 first preference votes (12.29 per cent).
Of the 3017 registered voters in the West Wimmera Shire, there were 2538 formal votes, and 47 informal votes.
Despite receiving fewer first preference votes than Mr Houlihan, Mr Hicks ran fourth in the election after subsequent preferences were counted.
Running sixth in the election, incumbent councillor and former mayor Bruce Meyer was unsuccessful in being re-elected after receiving 185 first preference votes (7.29 per cent).
Candidates then have until November 12 to request a recount. The VEC will assess whether one is needed.
Results will then be published online.