Mayor-elect Peta Pinson feels absolutely humbled by the mayoral by-election result.
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Mrs Pinson secured 20,823 votes, with her closest rival, Cr Rob Turner, on 19,950 votes after the distribution of preferences.
“I’m absolutely humbled by the thousands of people that have trusted me with their votes and the people that have asked for change on our council,” she said.
“I want to assure them that my intention over the next three years is to protect their best interests and make sure our ratepayers get the best value for their money moving forward.”
Mrs Pinson said she contested the by-election against some experienced councillors and she was not from the local government realm at this stage.
“It doesn’t mean I don’t have the experience to take our community forward,” she said.
“I feel confident in my abilities and I have to show those abilities to the community now.”
Cr Turner is disappointed he missed out on the mayoral position.
“I was anticipating better preference flows but it just didn’t happen,” he said.
Cr Turner believes the number of votes secured by sitting councillors shows the council is doing a good job.
Another by-election would have been needed if a sitting councillor was elected.
“The message we got loud and clear at the polling booths was people didn’t want to come back to a second by-election,” he said.
Cr Turner continues as a councillor.