Residents on hot line to Wellington
DIVISION 12 councillor-elect Tony Wellington is facing a tough time cooling his heels waiting for a final poll declaration of victory as the phone calls come from residents expecting him to leap into action on their behalf.
The word on Tuesday - after the final postal vote cut-off - was that the new-look Sunshine Coast Council could be sworn in by the end of this week with a possible induction on May 24.
On Wednesday the mayoral preferences were being distributed and counted but Mark Jamieson was expected to be announced clear winner yesterday, while Division 3 was still being closely fought out.
In Division 9, which takes in Doonan, Verrierdale and up to Eumundi, Stephen Robinson has narrowly beaten Taylor Bunnag.
Mr Wellington said it had been a frustrating couple of weeks since scoring a decisive victory of incumbent Lew Brennan.
"So many people assume that I am already on council," Mr Wellington said.
"I'm receiving daily phone calls and emails asking me to attend to residents' concerns.
"But the fact is that I have been in limbo. We have had to wait for the polls to be declared in all the divisions as well as for the mayoral position."
Mr Wellington said this was despite Division 12 being declared quite early due to the clear margin.
"But other divisions cannot be declared until postal votes and preferences are tallied. Divisions 3 and 9, for example, are quite close. And no one is being appointed to council until the counting process for the whole of the Sunshine Coast continues.
"I know it's been extremely frustrating for Mark Jamieson also," Mr Wellington said.
"I met with Mark last week - he's champing at the bit to get moving."
Mr Wellington said he had a long list of items to attend to when he is finally sworn in.
"I have commitments to many residents, and I'd really like to act on those promises. But in reality, getting on to council doesn't mean I'll be able to start work on my to-do list right away. I've been warned that the first few weeks will be taken up with induction programs and in-house training. I do ask that residents be patient. I can only proceed at the rate that the system allows me to."
