Results in Tasmania's local government elections are flowing in, with some careers appearing to be over and others given a new lease on life — with the scene set for future battles within council chambers.
The elections in 29 municipalities, the first in which voting has been compulsory for constituents, have featured bitter spats between candidates and alleged defacing of election materials.
Counting began on Wednesday and went into the evening before pausing overnight. The races in some councils looked clear but others will need to wait for more counting today.
Hobart
Hobart's lord mayor, incumbent Anna Reynolds, was ahead of newcomer and well-known businessman John Kelly when counting finished on Wednesday.
On first preferences for the role of Lord Mayor, Ms Reynolds held 28 per cent of the vote to Mr Kelly's 19 per cent.
Mr Kelly, a former cinema proprietor, is already set to join the council after receiving the second-biggest share of the votes.
Hobart will see a shake-up, with the departures of veteran campaigners — former lord mayor Damon Thomas and alderman Jeff Briscoe — and the arrival of Louise Bloomfield, Ryan Posselt and Louise Elliot.
An outspoken advocate for landlords and firmly against the University of Tasmania's proposed move into the Hobart CBD, Ms Elliot has already found herself in conflict with some returning council members, including Ms Reynolds.
Ms Elliot also made the news when it was revealed she had signed off in an email identifying as Kermit the frog.
Outgoing councillor Mr Briscoe said he was excited to see that three new candidates — Ms Elliot, Ms Bloomfield and Mr Kelly — had polled well.
"They will bring fresh blood into the Hobart City Council," he said.
"Looking back, I've been there for 28 years and I've had some very good times and achieved a lot, so I have no regrets whatsoever."
Glenorchy, Clarence, Sorell
In the Glenorchy mayoral race, Bec Thomas romped home with more than 50 per cent of the vote, dashing the hopes of many, including former councillor Jenny Branch-Allen, who was the subject of adverse findings from a board of inquiry.
Former Hobart lord mayor and disaffected Liberal Sue Hickey has also been elected to Glenorchy council, while Matt Haubrick — who once whipped himself while dressed in a hessian bag as part of an animal rights protest — was unsuccessful.
On the other side of the Tasman Bridge, Brendan Blomeley looks home in the race to become Clarence Council mayor, with former legislative council member Tony Mulder trailing.
Mr Blomeley found himself in the middle of a social media storm last year after he praised a Tasmanian shop for selling golliwogs and hit back at the "politically correct brigade" for "trying to find offence under every single rock".
Ex-60 Minutes reporter and newspaper columnist Charles Wooley will join the Sorell Council, pulling in almost as many votes as re-elected mayor Kerry Vincent.
Tasman, Brighton, Huon
Further along the peninsula, incumbent Tasman Council mayor Kelly Spaulding lost to newcomer Rod Macdonald.
The tiny electorate, which consists of 2,705 electors, considered merging with the neighbouring Sorell Council a few years back, with 70 per cent of ratepayers voting no to the proposal.
Newly elected mayor Mr Macdonald was one of those strongly opposed to the amalgamation.
Elsewhere in the south, wildlife carer Greg Irons will join the Brighton council, while Leigh Gray has been re-elected as mayor.
In the tight Huon Valley contest, it is neck and neck between Greens candidate Paul Gibson and former acting mayor Sally Doyle.
Mr Gibson resigned as a Huon Valley Councillor earlier this year to due conflicts within the council, but has since returned to run for mayor.
Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, Waratah-Wynyard
Up in the state's north, Danny Gibson has been declared mayor of Launceston, with close to 60 per cent of first preference votes.
Mr Gibson was the former deputy Mayor of Launceston, and received an endorsement from outgoing mayor Albert van Zetten when he retired this year.
"I feel excited … I feel ready," he said.
"I'm very humbled and I think that the experiences I've been afforded over the last four years working as the deputy have certainly allowed me to have some experience in that seat."
In Devonport, former mayor and federal senator Steve Martin topped the poll in a strong political comeback.
Mr Martin, a former member of the Jacqui Lambie Network, entered federal politics after Senator Lambie had to step down during the infamous dual citizen fiasco, then defected to the National Party and failed to get re-elected.
In the north-west, former deputy premier and incumbent Burnie mayor Steve Kons lost out to Teeny Brumby.
Meanwhile, Mary Duniam has been elected as the first female mayor of the Waratah-Wynyard Council in the state's north-west.
The former deputy mayor will replace Robby Walsh who had been the mayor for the last 12 years but decided not to re-contest.
"It is a milestone, I'm the first woman to be elected to the position of mayor in Waratah-Wynyard and the first resident of Somerset to be a deputy mayor and also a mayor, so I'm feeling a bit chuffed."
Ms Duniam said she was proud to be one of a number of female north-west mayors.
"We do have nine councils on the north-west coast or in the Cradle Coast region so four is pretty good and I'm proud of all those women who put their hands up, it's a courageous thing to do."
Circular Head, Flinders Island, Central Coast, George Town
Communities in the north and north-west have voted in several new mayors.
In Circular Head, one-term councillor Gerard Blizzard has become mayor, replacing Darryl Quilliam, who chose not to run after a 15-year tenure.
Mr Blizzard contested against John Oldaker and Steve Pilkington, with 57 per cent of votes.
"I better declare my conflict of interest here because I've been born and bred and lived most of my 66 years there ... it's just a wonderful place to be," Mr Blizzard said.
Flinders Island also welcomed a new mayor in Rachel Summers.
On the Central Coast, Cheryl Fuller has taken the reigns from long-standing Jan Bonde, who chose not to contest this election.
George Town mayor Greg Kieser has held on to another term with 57 per cent of votes making him the favourite over Tim Harris.
Break O'Day, Dorset, Northern Midlands
Break O'Day mayor Mick Tucker will serve the community for another term, attracting 51 per cent of votes.
Dorset has also re-elected Greg Howard over candidates Beth Donoghue and Edwina Powell.
In the Northern Midlands, Mary Knowles will serve another term as mayor, attracting 56 per cent of votes over Andrew McCullagh, who was trailing on 44 per cent.
Ms Knowles and developer Mr McCullagh have been involved in legal and online disputes for close to three years. Whether Mr McCullagh secures a place on council is yet to be determined.
Vote on UTAS move included as part of polling
Hobart residents were also asked to vote on the University of Tasmania's move into the Hobart CBD, a proposal that has resulted in protests and community division.
An elector poll ran concurrently with the elections after a Save UTAS opponents group petition attracted more than 1,000 signatures.
Formal counting will get underway on Thursday, but scrutineers say early indicators suggest an overwhelming "no" vote.
The result is non-binding but is expected to influence Hobart City Council's support of the UTAS move.
Results can be found on the Tasmanian Electoral Commission website
