A handful of progressive vote reports for some wards in regional councils are filtering through local media outlets.
In Greater Shepparton, high profile incumbent mayor Shane Sali has captured more than 75% of first preference votes in Balaclava Ward and will be safely returned to the council, according to the Shepparton News ($).
His nearest competitor Diane Teasdale is well behind on 14 per cent.
The newspaper has also reported progressive counts for Kialla and Goulburn River wards.
In Kialla, incumbent deputy mayor Anthony Brophy has a fight on his hands with a little more than two per cent of first preference votes separating him and challenger Terri Cowley.
While in Goulburn River Ward, the result is up in the air with less than 300 votes separating the top three candidates in a field of six.
In Wodonga, the Border Mail ($) has reported on the likely election of at least two new councillors in Cassie Aldridge and Josh Knight.
Both have healthy leads in progressive first preference counts over their rivals in Huon Creek and Baranduda Ranges wards respectively.
Incumbent mayor Ron Mildren holds a narrow lead in Lake Hume ward, while three candidates are in a close contest for Barnawatha North ward guaranteeing at least one more fresh face for the new Council.
At Greater Bendigo, the Bendigo Advertiser reports early numbers from three wards.
Incumbent councillor Vaughan Williams is third on first preferences in Golden Square Ward, nearly 20 per cent behind early leader Karen Corr who sits in a strong position on 40 per cent of the votes counted so far.
Small business operator Aaron Spong looks home in Eppalock Ward, amassing 71 per cent of votes counted, well ahead of the only candidate for the ward, Dean Farrell.
Shivali Chatley leads the count in Axedale Ward, with 37 per cent of votes counted, ahead of Colin Carrington and Rob Stephenson who each have around 24 per cent of votes.
The Warrnambool Standard ($) has reported early numbers from the only contested ward in Corangamite Shire.
Incumbent Jo Beard is set to return to the council table, polling nearly 70 per cent of first preferences votes against the only other candidate, Cath Jenkins.
All remaining councillors have been elected unopposed.
At Warrnambool City, Willy Benter, a first time candidate, is reported to have a strong lead in Hopkins Ward.
Former mayor Debbie Arnott has an early lead in counting in Central Ward.
The Wimmera Mail Times and the Weekly Advertiser have reported on a swing away from incumbent councillors at Horsham Rural City Council.
Just one of four seeking re-election look likely to succeed, that being Ian Ross, who has a lead in early counting.
Incumbent councillors Claudia Haenel and David Bowe appear to be out of the race, trailing all competitors in their respective wards.