Divisions declared as council takes shape
The next Gold Coast City Council is taking shape with several successful candidates now officially declared.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland on Wednesday declared the count in four Gold Coast local government divisions.
Naomi Fowler was announced the winner in Division 2 vacated by long-serving councillor William OwenJones, who did not recontest the seat.
“Can’t wait to embark on the next steps, including onboarding with City of Gold Coast and getting sworn in alongside new council very soon,” she wrote on her official Facebook page.
She asked ratepayers to be patient as it could be almost two weeks before she could assume the role of councillor.
Ms Fowler received 18,494 votes (73.36 per cent) beating rival Ben Findlay with 6716 votes (26.6 per cent).
Long-serving Nerang councillor Peter Young had a huge win in Division 5 with 14,978 votes (61.80 per cent).
His rivals Martin Vincent received 5004 votes (20.65 per cent), Katherine Brooke had 3702 votes (15.28 per cent) and Craig Bastin recorded 551 votes (2.27 per cent).
In Surfers Paradise, incumbent councillor Darren Taylor was returned with 14,177 votes (60.50 per cent), defeating, Mona Hecke on 9257 votes (39.50 per cent) in Division 10.
In Mudgeeraba, Councillor Glenn Tozer was re-elected for a fourth term in Division 9 with 16,408 votes (69.11 per cent).
His opponent, Sarah Denny, received 7335 votes (30.89 per cent). While other seats are yet to be declared, there are only two results which remain in doubt. Joe Wilkinson has a slight lead in Arundel’s Division 7, held by incumbent councillor Ryan BayldonLumsden who has been suspended since August 2023. In the south, incumbent councillor Gail O’Neill remains ahead of Kath Down in Division 14.