Graeme Legge is sworn in at the statutory meeting on Monday night.– Sarah Schwager
THE Ranges Ward saw a sitting councillor and new candidate elected into the council after distribution of preferences knocked out a high scoring candidate.
The longest serving Cardinia Shire councillor, Graeme Legge, was re-elected for his fourth term while Ed Chatwin was voted in for his first term on the council after he received the highest amount of first preferences.
Keith Ewenson missed out on a seat in the council after distribution, even though he had the second highest amount of first preferences.
Crs Chatwin and Legge received 2352 and 1392 votes respectively, beating Mr Ewenson with 1412 votes, Noel Ridgway (849), Carla Gates (1007), Matthew Wood (1106) and David Nickell (874).
As one of three new councillors voted in, Cr Chatwin said he was very pleased to have been elected and hoped to see a change of direction in the council.
He said the election results meant previous voting patterns within the council were likely to change.
Cr Chatwin said his main focus as councillor would be cutting debt, rates revenue and cost reduction in the council’s day-to-day operation.
He said he had no aspirations to be mayor.
“If you’re mayor you can’t talk. To make one’s point, one has to be able to talk.”
Cr Legge said he was pleased and honoured to be returned to the council so he could see through the completion of the Emerald Library complex.
“I am also pleased to be able to maintain the safety of the bushfire prone area through the Emergency Management Planning Committee,” he said.
He said he was also looking forward to being part of a team and to maintain the council’s standard of governance.
“I think that the ongoing regard for matters to be dealt with on their merits should see the same consistent treatment and approach.”
Cr Legge said he was lucky enough to have the time to invest in his role as councillor and bring a fair amount of community experience to that role.
Keith Ewenson said he was disappointed that he had not been able to represent the ward and at the way preferences had been transferred.
“When preferences were transferred across it made all the difference,” he said. “When you analyse the system it is confusing. Ed’s, Graeme’s and my preferences were not used at all.
“Only the least successful candidates’ preferences were transferred across.”
But he said in the end he was grateful for all the help he had received to get to the point he did.
“Overall I am happy that there is new blood in council and I am looking forward to the future.”
