Councillor Chris Manchester is the only one of the three current councillors that is certain to retain a seat on the new council. Newcomers Scott Collins and Tony Madden are also certain of a seat on council after they recorded the majority of the first preference votes. Scott Collins topped the first preference votes with 20 percent of the primary vote (455 votes) followed by Tony Madden with 19 percent (444 votes) and Chris Manchester with 13 percent (311 votes).

With the distribution of preference votes not being completed until Wednesday or Thursday the remaining four seats are yet to be decided.

The Villages of the Harden Shire where well represented with Neil Reid from Jugiong receiving nine percent (215 votes) and Tony Flanery from Galong eight percent (188 votes).

Tony Campbell received six percent (145 votes) followed by Pat O’Connor who was standing for re-election and received five percent (109 votes) closely followed by Neil Barry who also received five percent (107 votes).

Of the remainder, Keith Smith received four percent (95 votes), Gerard Van Der Zwagg also on four percent (89 votes). An interesting aside to the votes had the youngest and oldest of the candidates not fairing as well with Pat Brown receiving three percent (70 votes) and Liz Parker two percent (47 votes). Ross Flanery got his wish to not be re-elected but still ended up with one percent (30 votes).

According to the proportional representation system quotas, candidates in the Harden Shire Elections need to receive 289 votes (from the primary and/or preference votes) to be elected.

A total of 2371 votes have been recorded from the 2792 eligible voters in the Harden Shire, 66 of the votes recorded were invalid.

A complete list of the elected councillors will be placed in the window of the Express office once the information comes to hand.