One certainty in poll

By Paul Dunlop
ONE sure thing in the Cardinia Shire elections is that the new council won’t be the same.
The recent redistribution of ward boundaries, coupled with Cr Leonora Cox’s decision to nominate for Central Ward rather than Ranges Ward, mean not all of the seven incumbents can be there when the new council is sworn in.
At least one new councillor will come from Ranges Ward where seven candidates, including sitting councillor Graeme Legge, are standing for two seats on the council.
Cr Legge’s opponents are Keith Ewenson, Noel Ridgway, Carla Gates, Matthew Wood, Ed Chatwin and David Nickell.
Competition for a seat is fiercest in Bunyip Ward, with four people, sitting councillor Helen Ward, Bill Pearson, Ted Owen and Graeme Moore, vying for one spot.
But it is likely to be the new Central Ward where most interest is focused, with 10 candidates seeking one of the ward’s three seats on the council.
Central Ward takes in the growth areas around Pakenham, Officer and Beaconsfield.
The candidates include four sitting councillors, mayor Garry Runge and councillors Leonora Cox, Bill Ronald and Kate Lempriere.
Preferences are likely to play a vital part in the outcome of the result.
The release of preferences by the Victorian Electoral Commission this week showed Crs Runge and Ronald would be putting each other last on their respective ballot papers.
Cr Cox has also placed Cr Ronald last on her list of preferences, with Cr Runge second and Cr Lempriere fifth.
Cr Lempriere has put Cr Runge last and Cr Cox ninth.
Ian Farrell, Cathy Harbison, Cheryl BillingSmith, Tracey Radford, David Drinkwater and Brett Owen have tended to place Cr Runge and Cr Ronald either at the top or bottom of their preferences.
In Port Ward, Doug Hamilton and Philip Murphy will contest a twocandidate race for one spot on the council.
Ballot packs will be mailed out to all enrolled voters between 8 and 10 November.
Postal voting applications close at 12 noon on 24 November.