FOR the first time in its history, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) has returned more female councillors than male councillors.

Of the eight positions considered won to date in the local government election, six are women, including the first Indigenous woman Esma Livermore.

Ms Livermore, who represents Labor, will join the Liberal’s Louise Burton and Jacqueline Ternouth on council, along with Katrina Willis representing the Green’s, Independent Mareeta Grundy, and Edwina Webster – who appeared second on Independent Kenrick Winchester’s ticket.

Councillor elect Grundy, who headed up an Independent group, said a female majority council was the right decision for this time.

“It’s perfect timing coming out of the pandemic, it signals to the region that Queanbeyan-Palerang is open for business, we are progressive and we are serious about equitable representation,” Ms Grundy said.

Ms Grundy, is considering throwing her hat in the ring for the position of mayor, which will be voted on by councillors at council’s first meeting in January.

If successful Ms Grundy will be the first female mayor in the history of Queanbeyan-Palerang Council – which started as a Borough Council in 1885 with 11 men.

Voters have elected an almost entirely new crop of councillors for 2022, with Mr Winchester the only incumbent councillor elected at this point.

Labor’s Bryce Wilson, a staffer to Bean Labor MP David Smith, has also picked up a seat on the 11 member council following the party’s strong showing on Saturday’s (December 4) election.

It’s likely that Steve Taskovski -who headed up the largest of the independent groups in the election – will secure a spot on council, along with current deputy Mayor Michele Biscotti, and possibly John Preston – who appeared third on Labor’s ticket.

All NSW local council election results will announced on December 20.

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