Liberals dominate at council election
Gosford Council is likely to comprise four Liberal councillors, two Labor, one Green, two Team McKinna and one Doyle Independent, if preferences fall as expected.
None of the elected councillors lives on the Peninsula.
Central Coast First and the Greens were the big losers.
Once having two councillors, including last year's mayor Cr Laurie Maher, Central Coast First look unlikely to retain any seats.
It gained only 52 per cent of the number of votes required for a councillor to be elected in his own right.
The Greens suffered a swing away from them of 4.4 per cent, down to 10.4 per cent of the vote, and will lose one of their two seats on the previous council.
The Liberals retained most of the personal following that Cr Chris Holstein brought with him when he joined the party at the last election, dropping only one per cent.
Elected as Member for Gosford in the State election, Mr Holstein did not contest the council elections this year.
Labor and the independents picked up the swing to them of 2.7 per cent apiece.
The Liberal Party received a quota of 3.84 on first preference votes, meaning that sitting councillors Jeff Strickson and Chris Burke and new candidate Bob Ward were elected in their own right.
The Labor Party received a quota of 2.32 first preference votes, meaning that sitting councillors Jim Macfadyen and Vicki Scott were re-elected.
Team McKinna gained a quota of 1.95, meaning that Lawrie McKinna was elected and second candidate Gabby Bowles has a strong chance of being elected on preferences.
With a quota of only 1.14, the Greens will lose a seat to only retain one seat on council, with Hillary Morris elected.
Sitting councillor Craig Doyle, with a quote of 0.77, is expected to benefit from Central Coast First preferences to get him across the line.
The Liberals are expected to pick up the final council seat on preferences.
Counting for the Gosford Council election was still underway as Peninsula News went to press and results may be subject to change.
The poll was not expected to be declared until Saturday, September 15.
Website, 14 Sep 2012
NSW Electoral Commission