General News
30 October, 2024
Provisional votes in for Horsham Rural City Council, swing against incumbents
Swing against candidates hoping for another four-year term
If the primary vote count of Horsham Rural City Council for the 2024 council election, by the Victorian Electoral Commission is anything to go by, there has been a swing against the incumbent councillors hoping for another term. Just one of the four succeeded in their bid to return for another four years.
On Wednesday, October 30, the provisional votes for Pine Lake Ward showed that returning councillor Ian Ross had a lead of 605 votes over his closest opponent, with a majority of 991. Mr Ross has served one term on council.
According to the provisional count across the five wards whose constituents had a vote at the close of business on Wednesday, October 30, HRCC's potential council members could be Ian Ross, Cam McDonald, Dean O'Loughlin, Angela Munn, Todd Wilson, and unopposed candidates Rebecca Sluggett and Brian Klowss.
However, the final count for HRCC is Monday, November 4, with preferences on Tuesday, November 5, and the final count will not be known until mid-November.
Green Park, May Park, and Horsham North Wards were announced on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Provisional votes for Green Park Ward showed Dean O'Loughlin with 1126 and Brian Bashan with 537. With a lead of 67.71 percent, O'Loughlin had a clear lead, and Basham conceded on Tuesday afternoon. It was Basham's second attempt at a seat on HRCC.
Also, on Tuesday, May Park Ward showed a clear majority for Cam McDonald with 1038 votes to Les Power's 379. Power was seeking his third term on HRCC.
Horsham North Ward's preliminary results were closer with Todd Wilson on 611; his nearest opponent was Kathy Ross with 467, followed by incumbent Claudia Haenel with 437 votes. Haenel had served one term.
Pine Lake and Oatlands Wards were released on Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Pine Lake Ward candidate Ian Ross led with 991 votes, followed by Toby Haynes with 306 and Michael Bond with 250.
Oatlands Ward showed Angela Munn with a slight lead of 696 over Dylan Hesselberg on 524. Incumbent David Bowe had 218 at the time of the initial count released on Wednesday.
The new council will elect the new mayor from the successful candidates.