By Tanya Steele
Local election results are just under a week away from final declarations for the Yarra Ranges and some seats look set, while others remain in question.
Progressive count figures after a week of counting on saw numbers for group A posted for public viewing at the Silvan election office on Friday 1 November.
Provisional results will be available after group B counts have been completed and any required preference distribution.
Voting in the Yarra Ranges Shire Council election has now closed and according to the Victorian Electoral commission (VEC) website, Yarra Ranges will be officially declared by 2pm Friday 8 November.
All local council results will be declared by 15 November.
Up against six other candidates in O’Shannassy Ward, Jim Child looks set to serve another term holding 47.08 per cent of the votes counted so far.
In Walling Ward Len Cox has landed 69.40 per cent of the provisional votes counted against David Ferrier with 30.60 per cent.
The trio of candidates in Lyster Ward each have around 30 per cent of the votes, Peter Mcilwain leading with 36.86 per cent, Mick Spruhan, with 32.66 per cent and Divesh Sareen, 30.49 per cent
Streeton Ward so far sees Jeff Marriott with 61.09 per cent of the votes, holding the upper hand against Sigrid Petersen who has pulled in 38.91 per cent so far.
Sophie Todorov remains ahead just above her two other candidates in Melba Ward with 37.49 per cent of votes counted, Mitch Mazzarella is trailing her with 35.90 per cent and Chris Templer has drawn 26.61 per cent of the progressive count.
Chandler Ward has seen Gareth Ward move to the front of the pack with 39.77 per cent, Belinda Grooby coming in with 32.13 per cent and Ashley Hansen 28.09 per cent.
Finally in Billanook Ward, Tim Heenan so far has a count of 56.09 per cent of votes and Wendy Wright is at 43.91 per cent.
Two wards did not need to be counted at all, remaining uncontested this election, Fiona McAllister will be once again serving the people of Ryrie Ward and Richard Higgins remains with Chirnside.
As of Wednesday 30 October 72,624 ballots had been returned, equating to 80.73 per cent of the votes required.
According to the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) website, things which can affect the counting timeline include the number of vacancies in each ward, if results are counted by hand or by computer, how many people are enrolled in the council and how many candidates there are in each ward.
The VEC uses preferential counting in single-councillor wards and proportional counting in multi-councillor wards and unsubdivided councils.
Most preferential counting is done manually by hand, but sometimes, if deemed appropriate, it can be done by computer.
Preferential counting by computer means the VEC enters each voter’s preferences into a computer count application.
An example of where a computer count would be deemed appropriate for single-councillor elections is where there are many candidates in the election or ballot papers to be counted.
The election manager will advise candidates of the time and location of the declaration of results, which is a public event which anyone can attend including candidates, families and friends, community members, council staff, local media and other interested parties.
The election manager will then announce the result of each election and declare the successful candidates elected.
The declaration will occur at least four hours after provisional results have been released.
Once the declaration has occurred, the results are final.
For more information, visit www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2024-local-council-elections
