COLLEEN Fuller looks likely to extend her 12-year sitting on Gunnedah Shire Council as she leads the preliminary first-preference vote count.
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On Sunday afternoon, Cr Fuller, who was first elected to GSC in 2004, had claimed 1256 votes to place her well ahead of next best Jamie Chaffey (843), Rob Hooke (833), Murray O’Keefe (730), Gae Swain (707), John Campbell (642) and current mayor Owen Hasler (423).
Thirteen candidates contested the seven-seat council, with four of the frontrunners standing for the first time.
The first preference distribution tally includes 4012 pre-poll votes and nearly 500 votes from the shire’s outlying villages.
Returning officer Ian Horwood said Gunnedah’s independently-run local government election was held without fuss.
“It always worries me when things run smoothly,” Mr Horwood said.
“But things have gone pretty good.”
Results are likely to change with some 200 postal votes not being counted until 6pm Monday.
The newly-elected council will then appoint a mayor.
