By MEGAN OGLE
NOOSA residents will have to wait to find out who will take the top spot in this year’s election, with votes too close to call.
At the time of going to press, over 8,000 votes were yet to be counted, making this one of the closest races in Noosa history with only 629 votes separating Councillors Tony Wellington and Sandy Bolton.
Cr Wellington has taken the lead position with a total of 12,238 votes, with Cr Bolton close behind on 11,609. Third Mayoral candidate Ray Kelly is in last position with 5,302 of the total 29,149 formal votes.
Mr Kelly, in third position by more than 6,000 votes, admitted defeat on Saturday (19 March) when he took to his Facebook page to thank his supporters and congratulate his fellow mayoral candidates.
“The votes are in and although not in my favour I still feel like a winner,” he wrote.
“I would like to thank everyone who believed in me and showed me with their votes yesterday.
“My congratulations to Tony Wellington and Sandy Bolton – I look forward to hearing the final results on who is to be the new Noosa Mayor.”
Cr Wellington took to his Facebook page to thank his “friend” for remaining a “gentleman” throughout the campaign and said Mr Kelly was always “affable and polite”.
However it’s not only the mayoral votes which are neck-and-neck, with some council candidates separated by less than 21 votes.
At the time of printing the three incumbent councillors were in a clear lead with Cr Frank Wilkie leading the pack with 8,497 votes, followed by Cr Frank Pardon on 6,909 and Cr Joe Jurisevic with 6,801 votes.
Out of the new candidates Ingrid Jackson is in with a chance with 6,628 votes followed by the youngest candidate Jess Glasgow with 6,193 votes and rounding out the sixth position is Elaine Williams with 6,172 votes.
Cr Bolton said she was looking forward to the announcement of Noosa’s next council after an “exciting and nail-biting” few days.
“I am sure everyone is looking forward to the final tallies,” she said.
“I wish all candidates the very best over the coming days, and congratulate everyone on their achievements through this campaign.”
The deadline for postal votes is 29 March, with results expected to be announced shortly after.
Keep up to date with the election results as they happen at www.ecq.qld.gov.au or head to Noosa Today’s facebook page for all your council coverage.
