Interesting battle set
AS night fell on the Gladstone region yesterday, the face of a new Gladstone Regional Council became clearer.
Of the eight positions available on council, at least six appeared to have been sewn up.
All five incumbent councillors have held on to their positions.
Of the newcomers, Leo Neill-Ballantine and Reynold Lanzon look safe inside the top eight.
At time of printing last night, Karen Porter was in eighth place, just ahead of PJ Sobhanian.
Ms Porter held a 423-vote lead over Mr Sobhanian - a significant one with a few thousand votes remaining.
The make-up of the new council could make it interesting for council observers over the next four years.
Two of the newcomers and one of the incumbents were considered to be in the camp of mayoral candidate Craig Butler.
If Gail Sellers wins the mayoral vote, which appears likely, she could be faced with a council pushing for change.
