General News
20 November, 2024
Ross returned for second council term
Ian Ross has been returned to office as the sole survivor from the former Horsham Rural City Council of the past four years.
Cr Ross was one of five councillors named when the Victorian Electoral Commission made the official declaration for Horsham on Friday afternoon.
With an absolute majority of 63.04 per cent (1114 individual votes), he finished well clear of challengers Toby Haynes (20.26 per cent, 358 votes) and Michael Bond (16.69 per cent, 295 votes) in Pine Lake ward.
Of the four sitting councillors who contested the October state election in Horsham, only Cr Ross was successful.
Mayor Cr Robyn Gulline and former deputy mayor Cr Penny Flynn chose not to run again, and councillors Claudia Haenel, Les Power and David Bowe were all defeated.
Council had completed its four-year term, one member short after the death of Cr Bob Redden at the start of August.
However, as the vacancy occurred only weeks before the election was due to begin, the position was left open while council prepared to enter caretaker mode.
On Friday, the other victors declared were Dean O’Loughlin, Todd Wilson, Cam McDonald and Angela Munn.
In Green Park ward, Mr O’Loughlin polled 68.25 per cent (1309 votes) of the 1918 formal votes counted.
Brian Basham received 31.75 per cent or 609 votes.
Mr Wilson was elected in Horsham North ward.
After the primary count was completed, Mr Wilson (on 40.16 per cent, 700 votes) was narrowly ahead of Kathy Ross (30.35 per cent, 529 votes).
Cr Haenel finished third with 29.49 per cent or 514 individual votes.
Once Cr Haenel was eliminated and her preferences distributed, Mr Wilson had 55.42 per cent and 966 votes.
Cam McDonald was the victor in May Park ward with a decisive haul of 72.88 per cent and 1185 votes, comfortably clear of Cr Power (27.12 per cent or 441 votes).
The representative of Oatlands ward, Angela Munn, garnered 47.73 per cent (788 votes) in the first round.
The distribution of preferences from Cr Bowe, who had collected 15.63 per cent or 258 votes, saw Ms Munn end the count with 56.33 per cent (930 votes) to take a modest win over Dylan Hesselberg (43.67 per cent and 721 votes).
In governing for the next four years, the five new councillors join Rebecca Sluggett and Bryan Klowss, who were unopposed in Kalimna and Wyn Wyn wards, respectively.
The ward system was introduced this year following a statewide Victorian Government review of council areas.
Immediately after the declaration was made on Friday, Horsham Rural City CEO Craig Niemann offered his congratulations.
“We’re certain each councillor will bring not only a unique perspective regarding the needs and aspirations of our community, but also the dedication required to help turn these into reality for the overall wellbeing and development of our community,” Mr Niemann said.
“We’re excited to learn more about our newly elected councillors, and we look forward to working together on a range of exciting projects and initiatives in the coming years.”
Horsham Rural City’s incoming council will meet on Thursday November 21 to elect the next mayor.
All seven councillors will be formally sworn in on that evening and will then start working through their induction and training.
The first monthly meeting of the new council will be held the following Monday, November 25.
Both meetings will take place in the Civic Centre in Horsham, starting at 5.30pm.