Following the mayoral vote count and preference distribution, preliminary results are in after the 2024 Local Government Elections on the Far South Coast.
Russell Fitzpatrick has been re-elected Mayor in the Bega Valley Shire’s first-ever public mayoral vote while Mathew Hatcher has been re-elected as the Eurobodalla Shire Mayor.
Mayor Fitzpatrick was quick to thank the community for its support, saying he is honoured to lead the shire over the next four years.
“I am humbled by the trust the community has placed in me,” Mayor Fitzpatrick said.
“It’s an honour to serve as Mayor and I am eager to deliver meaningful outcomes for people from all walks of life and all parts of the Bega Valley. I extend genuine thanks to everyone for their support.
“During the election campaign the other candidates and I heard what matters to our constituents and my aim as Mayor is to build on the foundation of our shortened last term, with a renewed focus on addressing the challenges ahead and attempting to prioritise what matters most to our community.”
Mayor Hatcher was re-elected after exceeding the absolute majority at the sixth count of the Eurobodalla Local Goverment elections, finishing with 69-point-32 per cent of the vote to Rob Pollock’s 30-point-68.
Mayor Hatcher said he was ready to hit he ground running wit lots he wanted to achieve.
“Some people may think they’re hard done by or may get more love in their pocket of the shire, but something I want to achieve over the next four years as a council is trying to bring the whole community together and see that we’ve got a plan for the whole shire not just one part of it,” Hatcher said.
“It’s incredibly humbling I must say to be returning as mayor, just this week to have other candidates coming up to me and while we might be competitors, them saying to me that they really appreciate what I’ve done and the changes they’ve seen, that has really resonated and meant a lot to me.”
Eurobodalla’s new-look Council has been locked in after the recent local government elections.
The ‘Advance Eurobodalla’ Group members Amber Schutz and Laurence Babington represent council alongside returning Mayor Hatcher.
One of our longest serving Councillors, Rob Pollock, along with Narooma’s Phil Constable (pictured above) and Anthony Mayne will represent the community.
Newcomer from the Labor Party, Sharon Winslade will join Eurobodalla Shire Council for the first time with Greens Candidate Coleen Turner, and Mick Johnson.
Fresh faces have been welcomed to Bega Valley Shire council as well after the recent election.
Four newcomers will join Mayor Fitzpatrick and returning councillors Helen O’Neil, Mitch Nadin, Tony Allen and David Porter.
Simon Daly will join Councillor O’Neil to make it two Labor Party members on Bega Valley Shire Council for the first time.
Greens Candidate Peter Haggar (pictured above) will take the place of the outgoing, Cathy Griff. With a second Greens candidate, Liane Munro, missing out by a small margin.
Independents Peggy Noble and Eden’s Clair Mudaliar will represent Bega Valley council for the first time.
Bega Valley Shire Council CEO, Anthony McMahon, congratulated Mayor Fitzpatrick on his re-election and all councillors on their result.
“I’m looking forward to working alongside Mayor Fitzpatrick during this term as he leads our Council over the next four years,” Mr McMahon said.
“With results indicating a blend of experienced and newly elected Councillors, this Council will be well-positioned to deliver strong governance and a focus on what matters to the community they represent.”
Mayor Fitzpatrick and Mayor Hatcher’s terms as Mayor will run until the end of the current four-year Councillor term.
Further details on the newly elected Councillors will be available on each Council’s website once the official results are declared after the appeal period which is expected to be 3 October 2024.
Images: Russell Fitzpatrick, Mathew Hatcher, Phil Constable, Peter Haggar
