A handful of votes between two contenders
THE unofficial preliminary count for Division 5 currently hangs on a knife edge between the incumbent Winston Johnston and Greens candidate Tracy Burton, with the final result could be days or even weeks away.
With little over half the votes for Division 5 counted as of Monday 12pm (March 18), only six votes separate the two leading candidates, however with preference votes still to be allocated, postal, absentee and telephone votes still to be finalised, the result is just too early to confidently call.
Speaking with GC&M News, Cr Johnston said 10,000 votes were still to come however he hoped that the preference deal struck with independent Richard Bruinsma would assist in getting him over the line.
He said he was happy that he was leading however he acknowledged that there were still many votes to count.
“I expect the postal votes will favour myself as the incumbent, however the count for Division 5 has been very slow compared to other divisions. It may be next week until we know the outcome for sure,” he said.
Tracy Burton said she felt incredibly grateful and encouraged by the numbers. She said based on poll booth data, that Cr Johnston had lost the support of the bigger Hinterland towns.
“Winston has lost the support of his home town,” Ms Burton said.
“At the booths I won Maleny, Mooloolah, Montville, Eudlo and Palmwoods. There has been no obvious landslide win for the incumbent.
“People want a change.” With almost 80 per cent of the mayoral results counted, television news presenter Rosanna Natoli looks set to step into the top job. Ms Natoli is trailed by Surf Club operator Ashley Robinson in second place and current Division 12 Councillor Jason O’Pray sitting in third position.
Preferences are still to be allocated, however Ms Natoli is in the box seat to become the next Sunshine Coast Council mayor.