2021 Council Election: Meet your new Kempsey Shire councillors

The results of the December 4 local government elections are final.

A new mayor and eight councillors have been appointed.

Leo Hauville has been elected Kempsey Shire's new mayor.

After the distribution of preferences, the councillors for Kempsey Shire are Simon Fergusson, Joshua Freeman, Craigie V, Alexandra Wyatt, Liz Campbell, Kerri Riddington, Anthony Patterson and Arthur Bain.

The NSW Electoral Commission virtual tally room results on December 20 show Mr Hauville, who contested the December 4 council elections for the mayoral role only, won the position with 51.54 per cent of the vote, or just 387 votes.

Preferences got him across the line ahead of outgoing mayor Liz Campbell who secured 48.46 per cent of the vote.

Mr Hauville was elected to Kempsey Shire Council in 2016.

The race for the mayoral position has been neck and neck since vote counting started with Mrs Campbell holding a narrow lead all the way until the preference count was finalised.

Mr Hauville said the community has voted for change.

"I'm really pleased so many people decided they needed a change and a new mayor and a new team who will bring some changes, including more community involvement in the decisions of council," Mr Hauville said.

Mr Hauville said development, and its impacts on communities, is high on the agenda and making sure future growth aligns with what has been determined in each village character statement.

"Council should return to its core role, as defined by the Local Government Act 1993. It is to represent the community in directing and controlling the affairs of council," Cr Hauville said at the start of his campaign.

"I will lead a council that focuses on roads, bridges, water, sewage, parks and recreation facilities, among many others.

"Our prime task is to provide the necessary community services in a financially sustainable way. Council's finances are not fit yet, with more to be done."

Cr Hauville's previous experience includes working in a partnership business for two years, then as a leader in education for 37 years, the last six as Willawarrin Public School principal.

"I will promote the community needs ahead of developers' grasp for bigger profits by voting against variations beyond planning rules," he said.

"I will lead council to effectively follow the Community Engagement Policy, enhance the long-term Community Strategic Plan, push for financial sustainability in its Operating Plan, follow the local character statements and implement action needed on climate change to protect our unique local environment."

There were 22,744 residential and non-residential electors enrolled to vote in Kempsey Shire.

To the south, Peta Pinson has been re-elected mayor for Port Macquarie-Hastings with 71.47 per cent of the vote.

To the north Rhonda Hoban was re-elected mayor of Nambucca Valley with 68.27 per cent of the vote.

Eight councillors were elected after the distribution of preferences. They are: James Angel, Troy Vance, John Wilson, David Jones, Trevor Ballangarry, Susan Jenvey, Ricky Buchanan and Martin Ballangarry.

Steve Allan has taken the mayoral role from Dominic King in Bellingen with 66.19 per cent of the vote.

The six Bellingen Shire councillors are Stephen Glyde, Dominic King, Jennie Fenton, Joanne Cook, Jo Brotherton and Ellie Tree.