There are 25,414 registered voters in the Byron Shire local government area (LGA) who are responsible for electing a mayor and eight councillors.
In the Byron mayoral vote has 17,373 votes counted with former Greens councillor and interim mayor Michael Lyon sitting at 22.98 per cent of the vote. He is followed by newcomer Mark Swivel who has 18.43 per cent then Green Duncan Dey at 14.58 per cent and Cate Coorey at 14.30 per cent of the vote. Lyon and Swivel had recommended to voters that they cross preference each of them ensuring that Lyon is heading into the position of Mayor for the upcoming two year local council period.
Councillors
The council is at 17,198 votes counted and the voting for councillors has played out slightly differently to mayoral voting with The Greens ticket taking out 21.07 per cent of the vote with Michael Lyon’s ticket coming in second at 19.38 per cent. This has been followed by Mark Swivel’s ticket at 17.07 per cent and then Cate Coorey at 14.79 per cent and Asren Pugh’s Labor ticket at 12.80 per cent. Sitting conservative councillor Alan Hunter’s ticket is at 7.27 per cent of the vote so far.
It is likely that the new Council will include Cr Lyon and perhaps two from his ticket; former councillor Duncan Dey, and current Cr Sarah Ndjaye (both Greens); Mark Swivel; Cr Cate Coorey, and Labor’s Asren Pugh. The final outcome will be determined by preferences over the coming weeks.
The 6.5% difference in the Green’s vote is because of Sarah .
Something for the Greens to ponder upon whilst reviewing their pre-selection choices .
Mayor Michael Lyon was also in that pre-selection but was rejected by the Greens .
He received 22.98% of the vote .
Even more to ponder upon and wonder how they are so far out of touch with their Electorate !
The Greens will continue to fade into obscurity, until they attend a few ‘ reading the room’ classes.So out of touch, they seem think by dropping words such as ‘environment’ or ‘global warming’ thats going to get them over the line.It actually has the opposite effect, and quite frankly shows no substance or depth of understanding in the daily grind.
This is an extraordinary and solid outcome for the Byron Greens, given the awkward circumstances surrounding the Simon Richardson legacy that for many local Greens supporters went right off the rails culminating in a monumental penis being raised on Byron Bay’s doorstep. Michael Lyon was Simon’s principle lieutenant and anointed successor and when the Greens rank and file decided enough was enough disendorsing his pre-selection to continue the shit really hit the fan. Propaganda from the disgruntled was spread thick through which the Byron Greens had to wade and reach out to re-establish authenticity and the principles that guide the movement. The fact that we retained the majority of Councillor votes and remain in the running for the Mayoral decision is a credit to the organisation not withstanding a call to reconnect and strengthen relationships within the wider community is timely.