The majority of the former Geelong councillor group will continue in their roles on the council, but just barely, with councillor Elise Wilkinson re-elected by a margin of only five votes.
Vote counting and preference distribution was completed on Saturday, resulting in councillors Anthony Aitken (Corio Ward), Melissa Cadwell (Cheetham), Eddy Kontelj (Hamlyn Heights), Ron Nelson (Barrabool Hills), Trent Sullivan (Leopold) and Elise Wilkinson (Connewarre) returning to City Hall for another term.
Ms Wilkinson, who was reportedly trailing her only Connewarre Ward opponent Angela Shearman by a significant margin earlier in the count, effected a dramatic comeback to win the council seat by 7477 votes to 7472.
Given the margin was less than 0.03 per cent of total votes in the ward, Ms Shearman has requested a recount, which would need to be completed by the Victorian Electoral Commission’s declaration of results on Tuesday, November 12.
Councillors Bruce Harwood, Jim Mason and Belinda Moloney did not contest the election, while Sarah Hathway and Peter Murrihy were unsuccessful in their attempts to return to the council.
Ms Hathway, who joined the council mid-term in June 2023, polled second behind Mr Aitken in Corio Ward, while Mr Murrihy ran third in the Kardinia Ward race.
Former Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj will return to the council after winning the Kardinia Ward election, defeating Greens candidate Emilie Flynn by a margin of 3.48 per cent after preferences.
The other four new councillors will be Chris Burson (You Yangs Ward), Andrew Katos (Deakin), Emma Sinclair (Charlemont) and Rowan Story (Murradoc).
Ms Sinclair received the third most primary votes (3111) in Charlemont behind Blake Hadlow (3508) and Teagan Mitchell (3337), but benefitted from the distribution of preferences to win by 7741 to 7163.
