Though counting will continue this week, at the time of writing it would appear that Mayor Steve Krieg will retain his position on Lismore Council but with a reduced back-up band of four rather than the five he brought in at the last election.
Residents came out all over the Lismore shire on Saturday in a vote that saw Krieg returned for a second bite of the mayoral apple and Vanessa Ekins bowing out gracefully from Lismore politics.
Greens and Labor
Also at the time of writing, Adam Guise and Virginia Waters will take Greens seats on Council and Harper Dalton and Jasmine Knight-Smith will take seats for Labor. Current Cr Big Rob appears to have retained his position.
Though counting may not be completed for another week or more, it’s not expected that much will change beyond Saturday evening’s count, with quotas deciding the final seats and the possibility of Andrew Bing returning to join Krieg, Jeri Hall, Andrew Gordon and Electra Jensen as a possible ‘5-pack’.
Depending on preferences, Luke Robinson may also join the Greens.
A good morning
Both Steve Krieg and Vanessa Ekins said it had been a good morning on the booths.
‘It’s always a good morning on election day,’ said Mr Krieg. ‘It hasn’t been as busy as I would have thought. I’ve been down at St Paul’s this morning, and it was a bit quiet, and South Lismore had a few people going through. I thought it would have been a bit busier.’
‘My morning’s been really busy,’ said Ekins. ‘There’s been a really positive vibe. Lots of people recognising us and taking our how to votes. The voters are usually pretty sure about what they want to do. Most people are saying “No, thank you”, or they take it.’
Mr Krieg said all of the candidates are great people. ‘As I’ve said many times, I wish everyone all the best. It’s not an easy job. Anyone that’s prepared to put their hand up, I wish them every success. Most people have been very cordial. Yes, it’s a civic duty that we all have to do. Some like it, some don’t. Yes, that’s life.’
First time voter
New Australian Romulo was very happy to be voting in his first election in Australia. Fijian born, Romulo has been living in Australia for six years and has been a citizen since 2023 during a ceremony presided over by Mayor Kreig, who remembered Romulo and shook his hand before he entered the booth.
‘I am happy I can have a say about how things are run in the area,’ said Romulo.
A good first step
Harper Dalton, who will sit for the first time as a councillor in the Goonellabah chambers, is looking forward to the prospect of representing the Lismore community.
‘I think it’s a good step, particularly for a younger person, because I’ve got many more terms left in me in the future, and I’m committed to working with whoever gets on council.
‘I’m not under any illusions – I do believe this election will be won by Steve Krieg, but it’s about how can we all work together to best represent the people of Lismore and make sure that we have a functional council in probably one of the most important times in our history.’
Mr Dalton, who has been on pre-poll for seven days from 7.30am to 6pm, says he was keen to have a cold beer on Saturday evening and then get home and have a good sleep.
Mr Dalton said his hope of being on council had fluctuated in recent weeks. ‘I’m confident one day I’ll get on, and then I’m not confident the next day. And then I think I would probably get two on and then I think the next minute, “oh, we probably won’t get two on” – so I’m not trying to make any predictions. I would be very hopeful that we at least keep our standard as we’ve got Darlene Cook retiring.’
On the subject of Cr Cook, Mr Dalton said she was not lost to Lismore. ‘She and I have been meeting once a month for the last five months and talking about business papers, the financials – all those things that’s going to continue. So, if there’s anything that I’m unsure of, Darlene is a wealth of information about historical stuff. I can go to her.
‘I have worked for Janelle Saffin, she’s a great mentor as well as Darlene. And there is also Jenny Dowell – I have three really great mentors.’
Hope in her heart
The now ex-councillor Vanessa Ekins said she still had hope in her heart.
‘Being a city councillor for 20 years has been a strange and interesting journey – like, exploring a new country, learning the stories and special places of Widjabul Wiabal land from our generous cultural knowledge holders and custodians. The tough white settler history and the amazing travels of the people from all around the world who are choosing Lismore for their new home.
‘All of this by participating in council committees, consultation processes and citizenship ceremonies.
‘As councillors we travel many roads in various states of repair to visit farms, housing
estates, quarrys, sewerage treatment plants, over hills and through swamps to see
koalas and mobile phone towers, orchards and forests and sometimes just to enjoy a
pretty view.
‘Our role is to work together to manage a $200 million budget that will provide all the
services our diverse community needs and plan for a sustainable future in a liveable
city. It’s a big job and requires a lot of time, reading thousands of pages of technical
documents, meeting for hours to take expert advice and make decisions, getting out
and about and listening to different people.
‘It is a privilege and honour being a Lismore City councillor, thank you for the
opportunity. I look forward to seeing a team of informed and compassionate
councillors engaging with community in conversations about how we live with the
floodplain, the homes of the future, sustainable water, healthy rivers, farms and
forests.
‘I have hope in my heart for this place.’
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