With around 70% of votes counted, The Greens look to have secured a seat on the next Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC).
Pre-poll votes for Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra, along with postal votes and online votes are yet to be added to the count and then preferences to be distributed.
The Greens at close of counting on Saturday night were on 1.27% of a quota with just under 2,000 primary votes. This represents a 4% improvement on our vote in 2017 and should be enough votes to secure a seat in our own right (without relying on preferences).
The ABC’s election analysis Antony Green has called eight candidates, including The Greens lead candidate Katrina Willis, as elected.
This will be a very different council. There is a high probability it will have a progressive majority, providing an opportunity to make progress on issues The Greens campaigned on including climate action, affordable housing, sustainable transport and better public transport services, transparency and fair rates and charges.
The next council will also have a better gender balance and probably a female majority. New female councillors will include Esma Livermore (ALP), the first Indigenous person elected to our council.
The final preference distribution is scheduled for Tuesday, 21 December.
Councillors will be sworn in on 24 December, with the first meeting, to elect the mayor, deputy mayor and committee chairs on 12 January. The first ordinary meeting of the council will be on 19 January.
Thanks to all our members, supporters and voters who helped to achieve this fantastic result.