Waiting game as count too close

Murder-accused councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden is facing defeat in his re-election bid while the fate of another incumbent hangs in the balance.

Mr Bayldon-Lumsden, the one-term Division 7 representative, who has been suspended from office on full pay since August 2023, received 20.54 per cent of the vote at the time counting closed late on Saturday night.

This placed him third between Joe Wilkinson and Jenna Schroeder, who have so far received 24.46 per cent and 23.91 per cent of the vote respectively.

He was leading early in the count but failed to secure Arundel, the biggest booth and his most popular – he went to school there.

A scrutineer said: “It looks likely Joe will win the primary vote. Ryan isn’t even in the final two. It will be close.

“It’s looks unlikely Ryan will get back in. It will come down to preferences.”

Mr Bayldon-Lumsden was suspended by the state government after being charged with the murder of his stepfather Robert Lumsden, 58, at their Arundel home on August 23 last year.

His legal team has entered a not guilty plea to the murder charge.

Division 7 was among the most hotly contested of this year’s election, with six candidates, including the incumbent.

Meanwhile, second-term Coolangatta councillor Gail O’Neill was trailing Kath Down by 162 votes, with Ms Down currently holding 46.35 per cent of the vote to Ms O’Neill’s 44.39 per cent.

The other incumbent councillors all largely were returned with ease.

In the city’s far north, planning boss Mark Hammel secured nearly 80 per cent of the vote in Division 1 while Deputy Mayor Donna Gates secured 58.3 per cent in Division 1.

Hinterland councillors Peter Young and Glenn Tozer were both returned, with 61.32 per cent and 70.98 per cent respectively.

Southport councillor Brooke Patterson had secured 50.77 per cent of the vote counted so far while challenger Samantha Delmege trailed on 38.85 per cent.

Ms Patterson thanked both supporters and her opponents.

“I am grateful for all the supportive messages I have received from residents and community group representatives since the positive results came in,” she said.

“Democracy works when people are willing to take a stand for the greater good.

“Division 6 had three candidates willing to do that and that is something to be celebrated.”

While behind, Ms Delmege refused to concede defeat and said she was confident the result would come down to the wire.

“It’s going to be a close one, though I would have liked it to be closer,” she said.

“I’m not calling it at all, I reckon it will go down to the wire.”

Surfers Paradise councillor Darren Taylor won just under 60 per cent of the vote against challenger Mona Hecke, while Carrara’s Bob La Castra was returned for an eighth term, with 67.02 per cent of the vote.