Murrumbidgee Council election: early leaders emerge in initial vote count

Darlington Point residents flocked to the polls on Saturday morning to elect three councillors in Murrumbidgee Ward.

Gordon Beaumont, Robert Curphey, Gavin Gilbert, Allan Strahan, Paul Goodsall and Phillip Wells were the six on the ballot for the Darlington Point-based ward.

Jerilderie and Murrumbidgee East wards went uncontested and on Saturday Faith Bryce, Ruth McRae, Gaila Smith, Robert Black, Christine Chirgwin and Austin Evans were officially declared elected.

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Murrumbidgee returning officer Jane Mitchell said that an indication of the results may be available as soon as Saturday night. 

“There will be an indication on the NSW available tonight through the virtual tally room, but the final results won’t be known for another couple of days,” she said.

By 8pm the NSW Electoral Commission had released the summary of 574 first preference votes cast – well over half of the 892 voters enrolled in the ward.

Mr Wells and Mr Curphey were both leading the charge, with Mr Gilbert and Mr Goodsall rounding out the top four.