Kristie Johnston returns as Glenorchy Mayor after landslide council election victory
Updated
Kristie Johnson is returned as the new Mayor of Glenorchy after an overwhelming victory in the council elections.
Champagne corks were popping at KGV celebrations as Ms Johnston and her running mate Matt Stevenson — who has won the honour of Deputy Mayor — watched the provisional results come in on a computer, and told supporters of the strong support.
The victory comes after years of council infighting ended with the State Government sacking the council late last year, and ordering new elections, after the release of a damning report on governance issues.
Ms Johnston was mayor when the Government decided to hold fresh elections.
State Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said provisional results on Tuesday evening showed Kristie Johnson had won in a landslide.
"It looks Kristie Johnson has around 15,000 first preferences for the mayoral position, it certainly looks like she has won quite comfortably in the mayoral election," he said.
The State Electoral Commission said the provisional results also showed Mr Stevenson would be Ms Johnston's deputy.
Ms Johnston has won about 15,000 of the 18,000 votes for mayor, and Mr Stevenson secured 9,000 votes for deputy mayor.
Ms Johnston said after the drama of the past few years she was looking forward to working hard for the community.
"Look I'm really thrilled — the community has been fantastic in supporting me as mayor for the last three-and-a-half years," she said.
"I'm dedicated to working for the community and looking forward to starting tomorrow to work for them again."
Ms Johnston thanked everyone involved in the campaign.
"It has been such a difficult road for the last three years but you have stuck with us and we will have a better council and that starts tomorrow," she said.
Electoral Commission applauds 'good turnout'
Mr Hawkey said the vote return rate was good.
"In 2014 the return rate for Glenorchy City was 47.7 per cent so our 54.1 per cent is a good increase," he said.
Mr Hawkey said the return rate for city councils was on average about 50 per cent.
"This is a good turn out for a big council," he said.
About 50 casual staff at the electoral commission spent the day counting votes.
A final results for councillors is expected on Thursday afternoon.
Topics: local-government, government-and-politics, glenorchy-7010
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