Central Coast council election, 2017

Central Coast council covers the entire Central Coast region between Sydney and the Hunter region. The council is bounded at the southern edge by the Hawkesbury River and at the northern edge by Lake Macquarie. The council extends from Patonga in the south to Lake Munmorah in the north, and also covers Gosford, Woy Woy, Erina, Kariong, Copacabana, Avoca Beach, Umina Beach, Wyoming, Niagara Park, Wamberal, Terrigal, Bateau Bay, Killarney Vale, Berkeley Vale, Tuggerah, Wyong, The Entrance, Budgewoi and Toukley. The new council has a population of about 331,000 as of 2014.

Council amalgamations
Central Coast council is an amalgamation of the former Gosford and Wyong councils. The former Gosford council covered southern parts of the Central Coast, and had a population of 172,000 people as of 2014. The former Wyong council covered northern parts of the Central Coast, and had a population of 159,000 people as of 2014.

Wards
Central Coast is divided into five wards, with each ward electing three councillors.

Budgewoi ward covers the north-eastern corner of the new council. The ward covers those suburbs previously contained in Wyong council on the southern end of Lake Macquarie, including Lake Munmorah, Moonee, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay, Doyalson, Budgewoi, Toukley, Charmhaven and Buff Point.

Gosford East ward covers south-eastern parts of the new council, including Erina, Terrigal, Kincumber, Avoca Beach, Copacabana and Saratoga.

Gosford West ward covers the south-west of the new council, including the rural hinterland of the former Gosford council, as well as the suburbs of Gosford, Kariong, Woy Woy, Umina Beach and Ettalong Beach.

The Entrance ward covers the suburbs on the southern side of Tuggerah Lakes, including The Entrance, Berkeley Vale, Killarney Vale, Bateau Bay and Forresters Beach.

Wyong ward covers the north-west of the council, including Wyong, Tacoma, Tuggerah, Warnervale, Tuggerawong, Wallarah, Ourimbah, Niagara Park, Narara, Wyoming and North Gosford.

History – Gosford
Gosford has been dominated by neither major party over the last decade, with Labor and Liberal parties sharing power with a sizeable independent bloc.

The 2004 election saw the Labor and Liberal parties each win two seats, alongside one Green and four independents, including two members of Laurie Maher’s Central Coast First ticket.

Liberal councillor Malcolm Brooks was elected mayor in 2004. In 2005, the ballot was split 5-5 for Brooks and for independent Laurie Maher, whose name was drawn out of the hat.

Maher was re-elected in 2006, and then in 2007 Labor’s Jim McFadyen defeated conservative Chris Holstein 6-3.

The 2008 election saw a swing from independents to the Liberal and Greens parties. The Liberal Party won four seats, alongside two Labor councillors, two Greens councillors and two independents.

An alliance was formed between the four Liberal councillors and the two independents. Liberal councillor Chris Holstein won the mayoralty in 2008 and 2009. He went on to win the state seat of Gosford at the 2011 state election.

In 2010, independent Laurie Maher succeeded Chris Holstein – throughout the term the Liberal-independent alliance voted down Labor and Greens mayoral opposition each year. Maher won a final term as mayor in 2011.

The 2012 election saw the arrival of a new political force, with Lawrie McKinna’s team winning two council seats, alongside four Liberals, two Labor councillors, one Greens councillor and one other independent. McKinna served as mayor for the entire council term, until the council was abolished in 2016.

History – Wyong
Wyong council’s last decade saw relatively weak support for the two major parties, with a large number of independents serving on the council. This has resulted in a team of independents controlling the mayoralty for the final eight years of the council.

Labor dominated the Wyong mayoralty throughout the 1990s, holding the office from 1993 until 1995 and again from 1997 until 2001. Doug Eaton interrupted Labor’s rule in 1996, and Labor lost the mayoralty in 2002.

The 2004 election saw a large number of independents win seats. Labor won three seats, and the Liberal Party won two seats, while five independents were elected, including sitting mayor Greg Best and former mayor Doug Eaton. Liberal councillor Brenton Pavier became mayor in 2004, and was succeeded in 2005 by independent Bob Graham. Graham was replaced by Labor’s Warren Welham after two terms.

The 2008 election saw Labor and Liberal hold their respective three and two seats. Four independents were elected, including Best, Eaton and Graham, and the Greens won their first seat.

Bob Graham and Doug Eaton shared the mayoralty in the 2008-2012 term, with Eaton holding the office from 2010 to 2011 and Graham holding office from 2008 to 2010 and again from 2011 to 2012.

Labor again won three seats in 2012, and the Liberal Party again won two. Graham, Eaton and Best were all re-elected, while the other two seats went to candidates from the Save Tuggerah Lakes group. Eaton served as mayor from 2012 until the council was abolished in 2016.

Candidate summary
The Labor and Liberal parties, and the Save Tuggerah Lakes group, are all running full tickets across the five wards.

Former Wyong Labor councillors Doug Vincent and Lisa Matthews are heading the Labor tickets in Budgewoi and The Entrance respectively. Former Gosford Liberal councillor Chris Burke is heading the Liberal ticket in Wyong.

Former Wyong councillors Adam Troy and Lloyd Taylor are leading the Save Tuggerah Lakes tickets in Wyong and The Entrance respectively.

The Greens are running in four wards: Budgewoi, Gosford East, Gosford West and The Entrance.

Nine other independent groups are running: two each in Budgewoi, Gosford East and Wyong. Three are running in Gosford West, including former Liberal MP and conservative Gosford mayor Chris Holstein. Former Wyong independent councillor Greg Best is running in Budgewoi ward. Apart from Save Tuggerah Lakes and the three statewide parties, there are no other groups running in The Entrance, although there is a larger number of ungrouped candidates.

The full candidate list is at the end of this guide.

Assessment
Voting figures for independents in Gosford and Wyong are remarkably strong. When you look at urban councils, independents tend to do best in places where the major parties do not contest, such as the north shore. Even there, many of those independents are actually proxies for those absent parties, and we’ve seen parties gradually intrude on so-called ‘independent’ territory in places like Sutherland, Hornsby, the Hills and Camden.

In contrast, the Labor and Liberal parties ran full tickets across both councils in 2012. Gosford council has no wards, and Wyong was only divided into two wards, which required independents to campaign across quite large areas. Despite these factors, the independent vote was very strong on both councils. Independents and local parties won six out of ten seats on Wyong council, while Lawrie McKinna managed to hold on as Gosford mayor for four straight years.

THere are a large number of independents running for the new council. Sitting councillors for the Save Tuggerah Lakes are running again in The Entrance and Wyong, while sitting independent councillor Greg Best is running in Budgewoi. All of these candidates would have a strong chance, as would former MP and mayor Chris Holstein in Gosford West. Having said that, the quota is much higher for these new wards than it was in the former councils, so these independents may struggle to concentrate enough votes in the right places.

While the Central Coast has proven to be a strong area for local council independents, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Labor’s performance rebound, after encouraging results in the area at the 2015 state election and 2016 federal election.

2012 council result

Party Votes % % where contested
Liberal 54,021 31.2 31.2
Labor 40,102 23.2 23.2
Lawrie McKinna 18,428 10.6 20.3
Greens 16,294 9.4 9.4
Save Tuggerah Lakes 11,465 6.6 13.9
Bob Graham 8,610 5.0 21.8
Greg Best 8,287 4.8 19.2
Craig Doyle 6,407 3.7 7.1
Ian Kilpatrick 4,300 2.5 4.7
Doug Eaton 3,806 2.2 9.6
Ren Wagner 1,297 0.7 1.4
Jason Tomich 204 0.1 0.2

Ward breakdown – federal
Since there are different factors in each local council election, I’ve included the results of the 2013 and 2016 federal elections to give a sense of underlying support.

The Liberal Party won both of the seats covering this council area in 2013, so it’s no surprise that they won a majority of the two-party-preferred vote in four out of five areas, ranging from over 55% in Gosford East to barely 50% in Wyong. Labor won over 56% in Budgewoi.

This changed in 2016, when Labor won back the seat of Dobell. Labor won a majority of the two-party-preferred vote in four areas, ranging from 51.6% in Gosford West to 59.7% in Budgewoi. The Liberal Party maintained a majority in Gosford East.

A similar pattern can be seen in the primary vote: Budgewoi is Labor heartland, while Gosford East is slightly more pro-Liberal than the other three wards. Gosford West and The Entrance are in the middle, while Wyong ward is the second-most pro-Labor ward.

The Greens vote was around 6-9% in all five areas in 2016, far below the 25% quota.

2013 federal election

Ward LIB 2PP % LIB % ALP % GRN % OTH %
Budgewoi 43.9 37.3 45.4 4.8 12.5
Gosford East 55.4 45.8 33.1 5.6 15.6
Gosford West 51.2 42.1 36.1 5.7 16.1
The Entrance 51.7 42.7 35.1 4.7 17.5
Wyong 50.5 40.3 34.9 5.3 19.4

2016 federal election

Ward ALP 2PP % LIB % ALP % GRN % OTH %
Budgewoi 59.7 34.4 49.4 6.3 9.9
Gosford East 45.7 48.0 35.7 8.4 8.0
Gosford West 51.6 42.0 40.9 8.2 8.9
The Entrance 52.4 40.7 41.1 6.0 12.1
Wyong 54.3 37.8 42.4 6.8 13.0

Ward breakdown – 2012 council results
I have also broken down 2012 council election results by ward

The Liberal Party’s vote ranged from 27% in Budgewoi and The Entrance wards, up to 37% in Gosford East. Labor’s vote ranged from 19.3% in Gosford East to 31% in Budgewoi.

The Greens managed to poll substantially better at a council level than in the 2013 federal election, polling over 10% in Gosford East and Gosford West, and over 9% in Budgewoi and Wyong.

The independent vote was extremely high, with over 45% of voters in The Entrance voting for Save Tuggerah Lakes or an independent ticket, and with over 30% of the vote in all five wards going outside of the three main parties.

Ward LIB % ALP % GRN % OTH %
Budgewoi 27.7 31.1 9.1 32.2
Gosford East 37.1 19.3 10.2 33.4
Gosford West 33.9 23.5 10.8 31.7
The Entrance 27.4 19.7 7.5 45.4
Wyong 29.6 22.5 9.3 38.6

Election results in Central Coast at the 2012 council election
Click on the ‘visible layers’ box to toggle between primary votes for the Labor and Liberal parties.

Candidates – Budgewoi ward

  • A – Labor
    1. Doug Vincent
    2. Jillian Hogan
    3. Rowen Turnbull
  • B – Independent
    1. Greg Best
    2. Maree Best
    3. Amelia Best
  • C – Liberal
    1. Garry Whitaker
    2. Clive Sargeant
    3. Rhiannon Beckers
  • D – Save Tuggerah Lakes
    1. Helaine Taylor
    2. Cheryl Deguara
    3. Steve Beton
  • E – Greens
    1. Sue Wynn
    2. Greg Simmonds
    3. Anna Durkin
  • F – Independent
    1. Julie Watson
    2. Peter Harris
    3. Gary Blaschke
  • Ungrouped
    • Michael McCarthy

Candidates – Gosford East ward

  • A – Liberal
    1. Rebecca Gale Collins
    2. Kerryanne Delaney
    3. Colin Marchant
  • B – Independent
    1. Claire Braund
    2. Diane Bull
    3. Danielle Habib
  • C – Independent
    1. Jane Smith
    2. Mitchell Lawler
    3. Sue Chidgery
  • D – Greens
    1. Stephen Pearson
    2. Robina Sinclair
    3. Terry Jones
  • E – Labor
    1. Jeff Sundstrom
    2. Victoria Collins
    3. Jim Macfadyen
  • F – Save Tuggerah Lakes
    1. Patrick Aiken
    2. Gary Lindahl
    3. Denis Whitnall
  • Ungrouped
    • Carol Fortey

Candidates – Gosford West ward

  • A – Independent
    1. Gary Chestnut
    2. Farren Thornycroft
    3. Lisa Wriley
    4. Jean MacLeod
  • B – Independent
    1. Chris Holstein
    2. Lorraine Wilson
    3. Bob Puffett
  • C – Greens
    1. Kate da Costa
    2. Ruth Herman
    3. Wendy Rix
  • D – Liberal
    1. Troy Marquart
    2. Sue Dengate
    3. Jack Wilson
  • E – Independent
    1. Gabby Greyem
    2. Helen Macnair
    3. Sarah Rimmer
  • F – Save Tuggerah Lakes 
    1. Carl Veugen
    2. Daniel Johnson
    3. John Caska
  • G – Labor
    1. Richard Mehrtens
    2. Vicki Scott
    3. Brad Ernst
  • Ungrouped
    • Christine Keene
    • Skyla Wagstaff (Animal Justice)

Candidates – The Entrance ward

  • A – Greens
    1. Cath Connor
    2. Doug Williamson
    3. Barbara Gorman
  • B – Liberal
    1. Jilly Pilon
    2. Deanna Bocking
    3. Brian Perrem
  • C – Labor
    1. Lisa Matthews
    2. Greg Ashe
    3. Margot Castles
  • D – Save Tuggerah Lakes
    1. Lloyd Taylor
    2. Glenn Clarke
    3. Matthew Young
  • Ungrouped
    • Bruce McLachlan
    • Nathan Bracken
    • Kylie Boyle (Sustainable Development)
    • Aaron Harpley-Carr

Candidates – Wyong ward

  • A – Independent
    1. Louise Greenaway
    2. Laurie Eyes
    3. John Wiggin
  • B – Independent
    1. Dougie Eaton
    2. Troy Stolz
    3. Phil Collis
  • C – Save Tuggerah Lakes
    • Adam Troy
    • Kaylene Troy
    • Amber Davis
  • D – Labor
    1. Kyle MacGregor
    2. Ruth Punch
    3. Narelle Rich
  • E – Liberal
    1. Chris Burke
    2. Kishen Napier
    3. James Wood
  • Ungrouped
    • Sean Hooper

12 COMMENTS

  1. Ben, there’s a huge grassroots community movement called the Community Plan Central Coast that has been developed by over 100 Central Coast residents in 18 policy categories broadly promoting social, economic and environmental equity that aims to put community welfare and governance transparency ahead of development at all costs. Currently, the Plan is supported by 50% of the candidates. Electronic and print media will identify these candidates to enable voters to make an informed decision in regard to their preferred future on the Central Coast. Here’s a link to Plan’s website: https://sites.google.com/view/communityplancentralcoast

  3. This is fantastic. I am part of the group that formed the Community Plan Central Coast. I am now a huge supporter of this plan as it has grown into a democratic document that is completely owned by the community. We will take back our council by being ethical, responsible leaders and by standing strong and supporting each other during and after the election. Thanks for all this data which is a huge help. I will donate after the election (I’m all out for now) but you will need to remind me. 🙂

  4. Ive been looking on the internet for hours trying to find some sort of overall view of the candidates (ie. Backgrounds, experience etc) in Gosford West Ward and found nothing. How can I make an informed decision on election day when information on candidates is so hard to find?

  6. I just received a random text from NRMAA, which was actually from Doug Eaton and his campaign. Someone should do something about this fool.

  7. Good to see your still publishing Ben. I put two double pages into the Peninsula News and the Central Coast Community News. Hoping to remind people about some of the dodgy candadates scattered among the 94 political hopefuls. People have such short memories. I notices one independent I would have supported if I hadn’t lost my Central Coast property trying to expose systemic corruption. I am more a political voyeur than activist now. Spend well over a decade trying to expose politicians to public scrutiny is hard lonely and expensive work. Edward James

  8. There is no mention of political parties in the Constitution of Australia, so why do we put up with it, is the High court going to act on behalf of the people?

  9. The people have to initiate action by making a complaint Peter. Then the courts may make judgements.. I have watched the people of the Central Coast some of whom are thankfully braves enough to be envolved in political activism, do nothing for more than a decade. While I spent my own money pointing out how those political parties you mention and independents conducted their campaigns outside the laws. Specifically Section 151 of the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act. By placing core flutes on power poles and railway property fences like those rail crossings at Point Clare and Woy Woy . And laws against littering framed in the Protection of the Enviornment Act. When core flutes appear nailed to trees and on wooden stakes in road reserves. How strange police will come out and prosecute people who et caught removing the illegally placed political campaign material. It has been decades since some core flutes have been stuck up on power poles, why are they still there? Could it be because the people are too ataxic to react to systemic law remaking. Let’s not forget there is a court in another place called the Ccourt of Public Opinion where we may prosecute our cases using public forums. Like you I and many others do all the time, by publishing our opinions and more importantly allegations. But as I am pointing out now again, while the allegations are certainly read no one cares enough to make their own judgements known at the ballot box. Consider how this local election several politicians with a history of campaigning outside the law have been elected again. Even though they have demonstrated a certain contempt for the very laws they are asking to uphold on our behalf. The courts won’t do anything until we the people give them information to make a judgement on. Edward James the Dolls House.

  11. I found that the citizens are locked out of the proper deliniation of who is responsible for our nation a lot of people asked me at the polling booth who is responsible for state roads, All main roads and footpaths on those roads are the total responsibilty of the state not local councils. Transport is the state. In that works the state always blames councils.
    The children at Point Clare school have to walk on the side of Brisbane Water Drive to school thus putting the lives of these children at risk. If the state cannot do the job get rid of them. Councils are only responsible for local roads and footpaths.
    Don’t blame counsils for everything.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here