MOUNT Gambier City Council is set for a major shakeup with four new faces elected to the chamber.
Elected member positions were tightly contested as vote counting was finalised yesterday, with a number of incumbent councillors unseated.
A distribution of second preferences resulted in incumbents Sonya Mezinec, Christian Greco and Frank Morello being re-elected, along with newcomers Kate Amoroso, Paul Jenner and Max Bruins.
They will join Ben Hood and Steve Perryman, who reached quota on first preference votes.
Prominent incumbent councillor Ian Von Stanke – who served on council for eight years – narrowly missed out on re-election, while former councillor Paul Jenner clinched the eighth and final vacancy.
Max Bruins leapfrogged into fifth place after receiving hundreds of second preference votes.
He spoke to The Border Watch after provisional results were released yesterday.
“This is my first time running for council since moving back to the South East after 10 years away,” he said.
“A young and progressive council has been elected and I am looking forward to working with the other councillors towards progress for the city.”
Councillor Frank Morello said while he was “disappointed” for his fellow incumbents, he was excited for the next chapter.
“I’m very happy to be reelected, there is a lot of work to finish off and a number of projects started in the last term to complete,” Cr Morello said.
“I am disappointed for my colleagues who were not re-elected, but I’m looking forward to the challenge of the next four years and working with the new council.”
The eight councillors will be led by new mayor Lynette Martin, who defeated incumbent Andrew Lee 5286 votes to 2040.
