The Macedon Ranges community has been successful in its campaign for a tree-change, with six new faces elected to council.
Councillors elect were declared yesterday and will be sworn in on November 7.
Most of the new council will be women, with five females voted in for three wards.
Two new faces, Bill West and Natasha Gayfer, have been elected to the East ward while Henry Bleeck, who was last a councillor in 2005, has been re-elected.
Former mayor Graham Hackett and former councillor Ian Ellis were unsuccessful in their bids for re-election.
Mr West, a former journalist, received more than 18 per cent of first preference votes in the East, putting his poll success down to the “recognition factor”.
“I’ve lived in this area for most of my life,” he said. “I have been part of the Lancefield community for many years. I know the people and they know me whether it’s through sports clubs or community groups.
“There were a lot of people looking for change and I’m pleased to be representing them.”
An all new line-up for the South ward includes Mandi Mees, Andrew Twaits and Helen Radnedge.
Mandi Mees dominated the polls in South ward, finishing with 23 per cent of first votes.
Ms Radnedge, Friends of Daly Nature Reserve president, said she’s excited by the opportunity to serve for the first time on council.
“I’m very happy with the result,” she said.
“My aim is to see our council make sensible decisions that care for our community and our environment.”
Ms Radnedge said her priorities are meaningful consultation, safer roads, improved planning, environmental protection and healthy waterways.
Former councillors Russell Mowatt and John Letchford were unsuccessful in regaining their seats in the South ward.
Former councillors Jennifer Anderson and Roger Jukes are back in for the West ward, and will be joined by newcomer Janet Pearce.
Ms Anderson was the favourite in the West ward taking 21 per cent of first preference votes.
The new mayor of Macedon Ranges council will be elected on November 17.
Meanwhile in Hume’s Jackson’s Creek ward, veteran councillors Jack Medcraft and Anne Potter have been re-elected, while Leigh Johnson replaces outgoing Sunbury councillor Jack Ogilvie.
