VIC: More metro council voting reports

News

Here is a brief overview of the latest metropolitan council voting updates reported by media outlets.

At Greater Dandenong, Ian Cook, the caterer who took on the council in court over the infamous ‘slug gate’ case, looks unlikely to win a seat on the council.

He is reportedly well behind incumbent councillor Phillip Danh on first preference votes.

Incumbent deputy mayor Steve Abboushi at Melton City Council has more than 50 per cent of first preference votes in early counting for Bullum Bullum ward and appears likely to hold his position on the council.

Former mayor Sophie Ramsay leads the count in Watts Ward.

In Mount Atkinson ward, Phillip Zada leads the count with more than 40 per cent of the votes, while a tight race is reported in Hilltop Ward between Andrew Deeming and John Verdon.

In Stonnington, former mayor Meghan Hopper leads the count in Como Ward and is favourite to take the seat, according to The Age.

Sue Bolton is on track to retain her seat on Merri-bek Council, while former mayor Lambrinos Tapinos is fighting to retain his spot due to a strong challenge from Greens candidate Ella Svensson.

A strong primary vote for incumbent deputy mayor of Boroondara, Felicity Sinfield, has her in a strong position to return to the council.

A comfortable win is also predicted for independent candidate Victor Franco in Gardiner Ward.

Meanwhile in Yarra, a strong performance has been recorded by independent candidates under the “Yarra For All” banner, reportedly threatening the previous dominance of the Greens on that council.

The Herald Sun reported that former mayor Sophie Wade is in a fight to retain her spot. She has 33.5 per cent of early votes counted and is believed unlikely to receive strong preferences from other candidates.

And in Hobsons Bay, Daria Kellandar, one of the only two incumbent councillors to stand for re-election, has polled more than 40 per cent of first preference votes counted so far. Her nearest rival from the four other candidates contesting the ward is Tim Rippon with 24 per cent.

Monitor The Age Slow Blog for regular updates here.