Greens Cr Sarah Ndiaye is Byron Shire’s new mayor, with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) confirming the final mayoral count on Monday. With Mayor Ndiaye’s election to the role, her party’s ticket effectively receives another councillor position.
The final tally for councillors was confirmed by the AEC on Tuesday, with Greens candidates Elia Hauge, Delta Kay and Michelle Lowe all being elected as councillors.
The other councillors who will serve a four-year term are Labor’s Asren Pugh and Janet Swain, along with Independent candidates Jack Dods and David Warth. Former Independent mayor, Michael Lyon, will return as a councillor.
Mayoral vote
According to vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au, Cr Ndiaye won a tight mayoral race with Labor candidate Asren Pugh, with 51.81 per cent to 48.19 per cent, or 7,582 votes to 7,051.
Incumbent/former mayor Michael Lyon (independent) was the first candidate excluded, with 3,128 first preference votes. Independent mayoral candidate David Warth achieved 4,010 first preference votes before being excluded.
Byron Shire Council General Manager (GM), Mark Arnold, congratulated Mayor Ndiaye on winning the election.
‘Sarah is no stranger to the local government arena, and I am looking forward to working with her and the new Council,’ Mr Arnold said.
The Byron Greens said in a statement, ‘This result marks a historic moment for Byron Shire, reflecting the community’s strong support for the Greens’ vision of a thriving and sustainable future’.
‘The election also sees Elia Hauge become the youngest-ever Byron Shire councillor, and two Bundjalung women, Delta Kay and Michelle Lowe, join Council.’
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