Shire of Ashburton council to welcome fresh talent while deputy president Doug Diver misses re-election

Three new faces will join the Ashburton Shire council but deputy president Doug Diver failed in his bid to be re-elected. Three seats were contested in the Tom Price ward in this year’s local government election, including one seat left vacant after Peter Foster stood down after winning an Upper House seat in last year’s State Election. A surprise outcome of Saturday’s election was long serving councillor Mr Diver missing out on re-election by seven votes. Mr Diver was re-elected in 2017 and was named deputy mayor in 2019. Audra Smith secured the most votes for the Tom Price ward with 235, followed by incumbent Matthew Lynch on 234 with Tina Mladenovic securing the final seat with 223 votes. Mr Diver was fourth on 216 and Brie Healy finished last with just 182 votes. Cr Lynch has served on the council for the past five years and advocated for a new daycare, emergency services hub and hospital. In total, 1090 votes were cast in Tom Price, representing 29.93 per cent of eligible voters. The turnout was an increase of 479 votes compared to the 2017 election. In the Paraburdoo ward, Alana Sullivan defeated the incumbent Doughlas Dias for the vacancy receiving 96 of 174 votes. Melanie Gallanagh was elected unopposed for the Pannawonica ward. The Paraburdoo ward had a voter turnout of 27.15 per cent, with 174 ballots returned of a possible 641.