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Cessnock welcomes new mayor Jay Suvaal

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After serving just one term on Cessnock City Council, Jay Suvaal will now step into the top job following the 2021 NSW Local Government elections.

With the ballot count officially finalised this week, the Labor candidate takes over from long-standing mayor Bob Pynsent, who recently announced his retirement.

Mr Suvaal claimed the honours with 15,629 votes, or 42.8%, in front of Independent Ian Olsen (9,946 – 27.3%), Liberal’s John Moores (6,916 – 19%) and The Greens’ Janet Murray (4,006 – 11%).

“I’m excited to begin working with the newly-elected councillors to ensure we achieve positive outcomes for our community,” he said.

“I am looking forward to being able to work with everyone across our LGA.

“We have many challenges ahead of us, but I am committed to listening to local residents to make sure we have the community infrastructure needed as our region grows.”

Cr Suvaal’s priorities for Cessnock include improved roads, park upgrades and connectivity through footpaths and shared pathways. 

It is expected the full council will be declared on Thursday.

At Port Stephens, Independent Ryan Palmer retained his mayoral position after finishing with 24,187 votes, or 50.6%.

He just pipped Labor’s Leah Anderson, who secured 23,620 or 49.4%.

It was a different story at Maitland, with incumbent Loretta Baker losing her role to Philip Penfold.

The popular Independent amassed 18,569 votes, or 34.3%, to edge out Ms Baker (Labor), who captured 17,133 or 31.6%.

Then followed Ben Mitchell (Liberal – 7,888 or 14.6%), John Brown (The Greens – 3,715 or 6.9%), Michael Cooper (Independent – 3,427 or 6.3%), Brian Burke (Independent – 2,096 or 3.9%) and Shahriar “Sean” Saffari (Independent – 1,353 or 2.5%).

Labor’s Kay Fraser was the clear winner at Lake Macquarie.

She collected a whopping 69,105 of the overall ballot – or 53% – to surpass Liberal’s Jason Pauling, with 28,824 (22.1%).

Only five votes separated Lake Macquarie Independents’ Luke Cubis (16,206 – 12.4%) and Independent Rosmairi Dawson (16,201 – 12.4%).

Another big margin occurred in the battle of City of Newcastle.

Labor’s Nuatali Nelmes romped home with 42,052 (41.9%) from Independent John Church (27,329 – 27.3%), The Greens’ John Mackenzie (14,256 – 14.2%), Liberal’s Jenny Barrie (11,683 – 11.7%), Independent Rod Holding (3,015 – 3%) and Socialist Alliance’s Steve O’Brien (1,940 – 1.9%).

At Singleton, Independent Sue Moore preserved her position after collecting 5,142 (37.4%) from Danny Thompson (Independent – 3,811 or 27.7%), Tony Jarrett (Labor – 3,085 or 22.4%) and Belinda Charlton (Independent – 1,717 or 12.5%).

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