Moree mayor Katrina Humphries back in the chair

MOREE Plains Shire Council was the only North West local government area, apart from Tamworth, to post the results of its election yesterday.

Incumbent mayor Katrina Humphries and deputy mayor Sue Price were the first two members of the new-look Moree Plains Shire Council to be confirmed. 

They will be joined by fellow incumbents Claudia Gall, James von Drehnen, Rodney Brazel, John Tramby and Theo Tzannes, as well as newcomers Mick Cikota and Brendan Munn.

Cr Humphries received a whopping 47.3 per cent of first-preference votes, while Cr Price received 10.8 per cent.

Cr Humphries said she was very happy with the show of support from the community.

At the 2008 election Cr Humphries received about 42 per cent of the vote.

“(The number of votes) is an improvement on the last election, so I’m thrilled about that. But when you’re a candidate you can only hope you get elected; you just don’t know,” she said. 

“I didn’t imagine I would increase the vote.”

Cr Price said it was great to think the shire’s voters had enough confidence in her for re-election.

Cr Humphries and Cr Price said they looked forward to building on what had been achieved in the previous term.

More than 6000 people voted in the Moree shire elections.

Late yesterday results were yet to be determined for the Armidale Dumaresq, Inverell shire and Narrabri Shire Council elections. 

It was anticipated their polls will be declared early next week.

A recount of votes in Walcha’s Ward B did not result in a change – Robert Thomson and Clint Lyon obtained seats there. 

However, a recount of votes in Uralla’s Ward C resulted in a change of those elected.

In the first count, candidate Karen Dusting missed out on a seat by two votes to incumbent councillor Hazel Rohde. 

Following the recount, Ms Dusting was elected to council on preferences.

She, Leanne Cooper and incumbent Uralla mayor Isabel Strutt will represent Ward C when the poll is declared.