Results of the 2024 New South Wales local elections in Hunter explained

See main article: Results of the 2024 New South Wales local elections.

This is a list of results for the 2024 New South Wales local elections in the Hunter Region.^{[1] [2]}

Hunter, also known as Greater Newcastle, covers nine local government areas (LGAs), including the City of Newcastle and the City of Lake Macquarie.^[3]

Cessnock

Cessnock City Council is composed of four wards electing three councillors, each, as well as a directly-elected mayor. At the 2021 election, the Labor Party won a plurality with five councillors and the mayoralty.^[4]

In January 2024, D Ward councillor Paul Paynter left Cessnock Independents to join the Liberal Party, which won three seats in 2021.^[5] However, the Liberals are unable to recontest after missing the candidate nomination deadline.^[6] B Ward Liberal councillor Karen Jackson has formally endorsed Labor.^[7]

Olsen Independents became "Cessnock Independents" in 2023, and B Ward councillor Ian Olsen announced in January 2024 that he would not seek re-election.^{[8] [9]}

Cessnock Independent candidate Quintin King is also a One Nation member.^[10]

Cessnock results

Party! style="width:70px;"

Votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
		Cessnock Independents		16,245	42.43	+17.4	5	1
		Labor		15,563	40.65	−1.8	6	1
		Independents		4,008	10.47	+9.4	1	1
		Animal Justice		1,393	3.64	+3.6	0
		Greens		1,080	2.82	−7.1	0
Formal votes			38,289	90.75	−3.24
Informal votes			3,905	9.25	+3.24
Total			42,194	100.00

D Ward

Dungog

Dungog Shire Council is composed of three two-member wards, totalling six councillors, along with − starting at the 2024 election − a directly-elected mayor.

Labor endorsed one candidate for the election, while there were two Independent Labor candidates contesting.^{[11] [12] [13]}

Dungog results

Party! style="width:70px;"

Votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
				4,047	66.20	−10.46	3	1
				753	12.32	+12.32	1	1
				664	10.86	−2.63	1
				649	10.62	+0.77	1
Formal votes			6,113	93.19	−2.15
Informal votes			447	6.81	+2.15
Total			6,560	100.0		6
Registered voters | turnout| 7,565| 86.72| +0.13| ||} C Ward Lake Macquarie Country: New South Wales Election Name: 2024 Lake Macquarie City Council election Election Date: 14 September 2024 Previous Year: 2021 Next Year: 2028 Type: parliamentary Vote Type: First preference Majority Seats: 7 Seats For Election: All 12 seats on Lake Macquarie City Council Leader1: Adam Shultz Party1: Labor Last Election1: 6 seats Seats Before1: 6 Leader2: Melody Harding Party2: Liberal Last Election2: 3 seats Seats Before2: 2 Image3: LMI Leader3: Kate Warner Party3: Lake Mac Inds Last Election3: 3 seats Seats Before3: 2 Largest party Posttitle: Subsequent largest party Lake Macquarie results Party! style="width:70px;" Votes % Swing Seats Change   46,239 35.2 −4.0 5 1   30,363 23.1 −2.6 3   Lake Mac Independents 28,530 21.7 +2.3 3   13,257 10.1 +0.3 0   Community First Independents 2,942 2.2 0   2,819 2.1 0   7,221 5.5 +1.9 1 1  Formal votes 131,371 92.8  Informal votes 10,133 7.2  Total 141,504 12  Registered voters / turnout West Maitland Country: New South Wales Election Name: 2024 Maitland City Council election Election Date: 14 September 2024 Previous Year: 2021 Next Year: 2028 Type: parliamentary Vote Type: First preference Majority Seats: 7 Seats For Election: All 12 seats on Maitland City Council Leader1: Philip Penfold Party1: Penfold Inds Party1 Name: no Last Election1: 4 seats Seats Before1: 4 Leader2: Ben Whiting Party2: Labor Last Election2: 4 seats Seats Before2: 4 Leader3: Sally Halliday Party3: Liberal Last Election3: 4 seats Seats Before3: 3 Largest party Posttitle: Subsequent largest party Maitland City Council is composed of four three-member wards, totalling 12 councillors, as well as a directly-elected mayor. Starting at this election, Central Ward was known known as Ward 1, North Ward as Ward 2, East Ward as Ward 3 and West Ward as Ward 4.[14] [15] The Liberal Party was unable to recontest the mayoral election, Ward 2, Ward 3 and Ward 4 after missing the candidate nomination deadline.[16] Liberal Ward 2 councillor Mitchell Griffin became an Independent Liberal shortly before nominations closed in order to stay on the ballot. He endorsed both Penfold Independents and the Independent National group in Ward 4.[17] Maitland results Party! style="width:70px;" Votes % Swing Seats Change   Penfold Independents 22,450 40.7 +12.7 6 2   Labor 19,199 34.8 −2.9 4   Liberal 3,141 5.7 −17.6 1 3   Independent Liberal 2,478 4.5 +4.5 1 1   Greens 6,388 11.6 +6.3 0   Independent National 1,501 2.7 +2.7 0   Independents 65 0.1 -6.1 0  Formal votes 55,222 92.7  Informal votes 4,322 7.3  Total 59,544 Ward 4 Muswellbrook Country: New South Wales Election Name: 2024 Muswellbrook Shire Council election Election Date: 14 September 2024 Previous Year: 2021 Next Year: 2028 Type: parliamentary Vote Type: First preference Majority Seats: 7 Seats For Election: All 12 seats on Muswellbrook Shire Council Leader1: N/A Party1: Independents Largest party Posttitle: Subsequent largest party Muswellbrook Shire Council is composed of twelve councillors elected proportionally to a single ward. Muswellbrook results Newcastle Country: New South Wales Election Name: 2024 Newcastle City Council election Election Date: 14 September 2024 Previous Year: 2021 Next Year: 2028 Type: parliamentary Vote Type: First preference Majority Seats: 7 Seats For Election: All 12 seats on Newcastle City Council Largest party Posttitle: Subsequent largest party Newcastle City Council is composed of four three-member wards, as well as a directly-elected mayor. Newcastle results Party! style="width:70px;" Votes % Swing Seats Change   Labor 35,324 35.6 −5.2 5 1   Greens 20,719 20.9 +4.3 3 1   Our Newcastle 23,306 23.5 2 2   Liberal 16,594 16.7 −1.7 2 1   Independent Liberal 2,324 2.3 0   Socialist Alliance 707 0.7 −0.2 0   Christians For Community 257 0.3 0   Independents 87 0.1 0  Formal votes 99,319 93.5  Informal votes 6,924 6.5  Total 106,243 Ward 4 Port Stephens Country: New South Wales Election Name: 2024 Port Stephens Council election Election Date: 14 September 2024 Previous Year: 2021 Next Year: 2028 Type: parliamentary Vote Type: First preference Majority Seats: 6 Seats For Election: All 9 seats on Port Stephens Council Leader1: Leah Anderson Party1: Labor Last Election1: 4 seats Seats Before1: 4 Seats1: 4 Seat Change1: - Leader2: Mark Watson Party2: Save PS Party2 Name: no Last Election2: Did not exist Seats Before2: 0 Seats2: 1 Seat Change2: +1 Leader4: Nathan Errington Party4: Liberal Last Election4: 1 seat Seats Before4: 1 Seats4: 1 Seat Change4: - Leader5: Kim Scott Party5: Greens Last Election5: 0 seats Seats Before5: 0 Seats5: 0 Seat Change5: - Largest party Posttitle: Subsequent largest party Port Stephens Council is composed of three three-member wards, as well as a directly-elected mayor.[18] "Save Port Stephens" has been formed as a group for the election, contesting the mayoral election, Central Ward and East Ward.[19] The group also chose Neil Turner as their West Ward lead candidate, but ended up not contesting that ward.[20] [21] Incumbent Liberal councillor Matt Bailey is not seeking re-election in East Ward after winning preselection for Ward 3 on the City of Newcastle.[22] Port Stephens results Party! style="width:70px;" Votes % Swing Seats Change   19,936 42.64% +1.04% 4 -   4,534 9.70% +0.60% 1 -   1,234 2.64% -0.76% 0 -   5,159 11.03% +11.03% 1 +1   15,896 34.00% -11.90% 3 -1  Formal votes 46,759 91.54%  Informal votes 4,322 8.46%  Turnout 51,081 West Singleton Country: New South Wales Election Name: 2024 Singleton Council election Election Date: 14 September 2024 Previous Year: 2022 Next Year: 2028 Type: parliamentary Vote Type: First preference Majority Seats: 6 Seats For Election: All 9 seats on Singleton Council Image1: IND Leader1: N/A Party1: Independents Last Election1: 6 seats Seats Before1: 7 Seats1: 6 Leader2: Peree Watson Party2: Labor Last Election2: 2 seats Seats Before2: 2 Seats2: 2 Leader4: Louise Scott Party4: Greens Last Election4: Did not contest Seats Before4: 0 Seats4: 0 Leader5: Scott Yeomans Party5: Libertarian Last Election5: Did not contest Seats Before5: 0 Seats5: 1 Largest party Posttitle: Subsequent largest party Singleton Council is composed of nine councillors elected proportionally to a single ward, as well as a directly elected mayor. At the 2021 election, seven independents were elected, as well as one Labor member and one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFFP) member.[23] However, the election was re-run in 2022 after the New South Wales Electoral Commission's online voting system crashed, preventing 55 people in Singleton from casting their vote.[24] All councillors elected in 2021 were re-elected in 2022 with the exception of independent Belinda Charlton, who was defeated by Labor's Sarah Johnstone. Councillor Malinda McLachlan left the SFFP in December 2022 after comments made by party leader Robert Borsak. As a result, SFFP is not recontesting Singleton in 2024, while McLachlan is running as an independent.[25] The Greens and the Libertarian Party are contesting for the first time.[26] Singleton results Upper Hunter Country: New South Wales Election Date: 14 September 2024 Previous Year: 2021 Next Year: 2028 Type: parliamentary Vote Type: First preference Majority Seats: 5 Seats For Election: All 9 seats on Upper Hunter Shire Council Image1: IND Party1: Independents Last Election1: 6 seats Seats Before1: 6 Party2: Ind. National Last Election2: 2 seats Seats Before2: 2 Largest party Posttitle: Subsequent largest party Upper Hunter Shire Council is composed of nine councillors elected proportionally to a single ward. In December 2022, Greens councillor Sue Abbott resigned from council after she was reported to the Office of Local Government while on compassionate leave following the death of her son.[27] A countback was won by independent Belinda McKenzie, and the Greens are not re-contesting Upper Hunter.[28] On 1 May 2024, councillor Elizabeth Flaherty was dismissed from council following claims of "antagonism" and bullying complaints.[29] An appeal from Flaherty to review the dismissal was itself dismissed several weeks later.[30] [31] Flannery, McKenzie, Ron Campbell and Lee Watts are not contesting the election.[32] Upper Hunter results References

Notes and References

1. Web site: Registers of groups of candidates . New South Wales Electoral Commission.
2. Web site: NSW council elections, 2024 . 16 December 2023 . The Tally Room . 17 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520222600/https://www.tallyroom.com.au/nswcouncil2024 . 20 May 2024.
3. Web site: Map of Greater Hunter and the Local Government Area (LGA) boundaries . 25 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240825051521/https://www.researchgate.net/web/20240825051521/https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map-of-Greater-Hunter-and-the-Local-Government-Area-LGA-boundaries-The-Lower-Hunter_fig1_277957607 . 25 August 2024.
4. Web site: City of Cessnock . ABC News . 2 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225231430/https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/nswlg/2021/cessnock . 25 February 2024 . 4 December 2021.
5. Web site: Today I have informed the Independent team that I will be seeking membership with the Liberal Party with a view to being Preselected as the Liberal candidate for Ward D at the up coming local Government Election this coming September . Facebook . Paul Paynter Ward D Liberal Councillor for Cessnock . 23 September 2024 . https://archive.today/20240923035011/https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0RPvLEAhV97VRw8rcgFKhkjRPNP8gLAgZStCzSMvHkHkvsEZYYZcjvoPUp6ZaKapFl&id=100064058503898 . 23 September 2024 . 22 January 2024.
6. Web site: 'Gut-wrenchingly disappointing': How Liberals reacted to nomination farce . 6 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240906022857/https://www.camdencourier.com.au/story/8731442/maitland-cessnock-liberals-speak-out-after-council-nomination-farce/ . 6 September 2024 . 15 August 2024.
7. Web site: Liberal Councilor Backs Labor, Sparks Clash Over 'Real' Independents in Cessnock Election . MHV News . 6 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240906023534/https://mhvnews.com.au/cessnock/liberal-councilor-backs-labor-sparks-clash-over-real-independents-in-cessnock-election/ . 6 September 2024 . 2 September 2024.
8. Web site: CESSNOCK INDEPENDENTS . Cessnock Independents . 2 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240902072005/https://cessnockindependentcouncillors.com/ . 2 September 2024.
9. Web site: For those of you who didn't see my live post yesterday I announced I will be retiring from council at the end of this term in September. . Facebook . Ian Olsen Independent Cessnock Ward B Councillor . 6 September 2024 . https://archive.today/20240906022945/https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=771809918306709&id=100064331246952 . 6 September 2024 . 24 January 2024.
10. Web site: Quintin King announced as One Nation's candidate for Cessnock . 8 February 2023 .
11. Web site: Michie . Angus . Local election looms as election ballot is drawn . Dungog Chronicle . 9 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240905160656/https://www.dungogchronicle.com.au/story/8735475/dungog-local-election-2024-meet-the-mayoral-candidates/ . 5 September 2024 . 20 August 2024 . The only candidate who has registered any party affiliation with the NSW electoral commission is Alexandria Carruthers who is affiliated with the Labor Party..
12. Web site: McCarthy . Simon . Dungog's 124-year-old council candidate to breathe fresh life into election . Newcastle Herald . 9 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240831211847/https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8744350/oldest-candidate-in-nsw-history-runs-for-dungog-council-satire/ . 31 August 2024 . 28 August 2024 . Alexandria Carruthers, the youngest councillor in Dungog's election race, was listed as 124 years old by mistake [...] Ms Carruthers, who is affiliated with the Labor party.
13. Web site: ALEXANDRIA CARRUTHERS . New South Wales Electoral Commission . 9 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240909100854/https://elections.nsw.gov.au/candidatewebpage/getcandidatefile?NominationId=MDc0OTI4OTctZWU0Ni00ZjRjLWIyYTEtMjkzZjRiOWFkMzk5&pdfName=ALEXANDRIA_CARRUTHERS_C_DUNGOG_CWARD_CIS_CWP#toolbar=0 . 9 September 2024 . 16 August 2024.
14. Web site: Proposed Ward Boundary Adjustments . Maitland City Council . 9 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240318202036/https://yoursay.maitland.nsw.gov.au/proposed-ward-boundary-adjustments . 18 March 2024.
15. Web site: Meet Our Team . Facebook . Mayor Philip Penfold . 9 September 2024 . https://archive.today/20240909103247/https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1071525360990388&set=pcb.1071525407657050 . 9 September 2024 . 9 September 2024.
16. Web site: Major stuff up leaves several Hunter Liberals out of election nominations . NEW FM . 9 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240909223904/https://www.newfm.com.au/2024/08/15/major-stuff-up-leaves-several-hunter-liberals-out-of-election-nominations/ . 9 September 2024 . 15 August 2024.
17. Web site: Thompson . Rod . Maitland councillor disappointed for Liberal colleagues . Newcastle Weekly . 9 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240909223907/https://newcastleweekly.com.au/maitland-councillor-disappointed-for-liberal-colleagues/ . 9 September 2024 . 15 August 2024 . If you do not have a Liberal running in your ward, I strongly encourage you to support an independent or Nationals candidate. And, in the absence of a Liberal mayoral candidate I fully endorse our current mayor Philip Penfold..
18. Web site: Full list of Port Stephens Council candidates in September poll . News Of The Area . 12 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240831230654/https://www.newsofthearea.com.au/full-list-of-port-stephens-council-candidates-in-september-poll . 31 August 2024 . 28 August 2024.
19. Web site: Meet our candidates . Save Port Stephens . 12 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240912022431/https://saveportstephens.com/candidates . 12 September 2024.
20. Web site: See Save Port Stephens Lead Candidates here . Facebook . Mark Watson Independent Candidate for Port Stephens - East Ward and Mayor . 12 September 2024 . https://archive.today/20240912021922/https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122152876238216806&set=a.122115512552216806 . 12 September 2024 . 7 June 2024 . West Ward: Neil Turner.
21. Web site: Independents launch Port Stephens Council election campaign . News Of The Area . 12 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240724210935/https://www.newsofthearea.com.au/independents-launch-port-stephens-council-election-campaign . 24 July 2024 . 24 July 2024 . Joining Mr Watson in contesting the September local government elections is Neil Turner in West Ward and Scott Leech in Central Ward..
22. Web site: Swinton . Sage . Port Stephens councillor wins Liberal preselection in Newcastle . Newcastle Herald . 12 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240816102557/https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8707985/matt-bailey-preselected-as-liberal-candidate-for-newcastle-council/ . 16 August 2024 . 25 July 2024.
23. Web site: Singleton . ABC News . 21 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231205131501/https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/nswlg/2021/singleton . 5 December 2023 . 4 December 2021.
24. Web site: Drewitt-Smith . Ainslie . Fernandez . Tim . Supreme Court orders re-vote after iVote crash in NSW local government elections . ABC News . 18 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240911234623/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-17/ivote-revote-ordered-supreme-court-judgement/100917050 . 11 September 2024 . 17 March 2022.
25. Web site: 'Clocked her' and 'Big nose': SFF Leader's comments spark party exodus . The Daily Telegraph . 20 August 2024 . https://archive.today/20221214105450/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/phil-donato-roy-butler-quit-shooters-fishers-and-farmers-party-to-run-as-independents/news-story/d38f75330190c54fc1d34985804f683c?amp&nk=b53be552adaa2b34187e2290dfec6381-1671015300 . 14 December 2022 . 13 December 2022.
26. Web site: Nichols . Louise . Singleton's first Greens councillor candidate Louise Stokes . The Singleton Argus . 21 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240626043512/https://www.singletonargus.com.au/story/8675693/singletons-first-greens-candidate-will-be-louise-stokes/ . 26 June 2024 . 26 June 2024.
27. Web site: Upper Hunter Shire councillor quits after being reported for incomplete form while on compassionate leave . ABC News . 10 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303133433/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-06/sue-abbott-resigns-from-upper-hunter-shire-council/101720278 . 3 March 2024 . 6 December 2022.
28. Web site: Report on the conduct of the Upper Hunter Shire Council countback election . New South Wales Electoral Commission . 10 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240909124444/https://elections.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/7b3fa75d-0da1-4962-bf6f-ce7c733d2c5b/2022-upper-hunter-shire-council-countback-report.pdf . 9 September 2024 . 6 December 2022.
29. Web site: Cutrupi . Darren . Elizabeth Flaherty suddenly sacked from Council . 2NM . 10 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240525085713/https://www.2nm.com.au/local-news/elizabeth-flaherty-suddenly-sacked-from-council/ . 25 May 2024 . 2 May 2024.
30. Web site: Flaherty . Elizabeth . Editorial: Let's See How This Turns Out… . scone.com.au . 10 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240805103152/https://scone.com.au/editorial-see-how-this-turns-out/ . 5 August 2024 . 1 May 2024.
31. Web site: Cutrupi . Darren . Flaherty loses bid to have her sacking reviewed . 98.1 Power FM . 10 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240527211704/https://www.981powerfm.com.au/local-news/flaherty-loses-bid-to-have-her-sacking-reviewed/ . 27 May 2024 . 27 May 2024.
32. Web site: Murphy . Jamieson . New batch of councillors need to make smarter decisions to tackle huge debt . Camden Haevn Courier . 10 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240902035810/https://www.camdencourier.com.au/story/8736005/new-upper-hunter-shire-councillors-need-to-make-smart-decisions-to-tackle-debt/ . 2 September 2024 . 2 September 2024 . Councillors Ron Campbell, Belinda McKenzie and Lee Watts will not recontest their seat, nor will former councillor Elizabeth Flannery.