General News
1 September, 2026
Votes keep dribbling in
VOTES in the Tablelands Mayoral by-election were continuing to dribble in on Monday, with authorities unsure as to when Electoral Commission of Queensland will declare the winner.
UPDATE: Kevin Cardew was declared Tablelands Mayor at around 4pm on Monday afternoon, after The Express had gone to print.
Votes in the postal poll can still be received by the ECQ up until 5pm on Tuesday.
As of Monday, Kevin Cardew was well out in front, capturing 6999 votes, or 48.28% of the 14,770 votes counted, which represents just over 70% of the 21,032 ballots sent out to those enrolled to vote.
His nearest rival, agronomist Mark Norvall polled 2543 votes, ahead of current councillors Dave Bilney (2223) and Kylie Lang (2160). Jean Fletcher has received 571 votes.
Plans were made for the new Mayor to be sworn in this Wednesday but Tablelands Regional Council was advised at its meeting last week that the date may have to be moved to this Saturday or next Tuesday.
The swearing-in can only happen once the ECQ has declared the winner.
