UPDATE: Jason Price was elected to replace Tony Briffa on Hobsons Bay council in a Victorian Electoral Commission countback this morning.
A vacancy arose in Cherry Lake ward following the resignation of Cr Briffa.
The former mayor resigned after six years on the council, citing a desire to focus on family, international human rights campaigning and returning to work as an aerospace engineer.
Cr Briffa’s vacancy was filled through a countback of votes from the October 2012 general election.
Of 4102 ballot papers redistributed from Cr Briffa, Mr Price received 2954.
Mr Price, an independent who is a member of the Altona SES, spent $2000 on his election campaign compared with some candidates who reportedly spent $20,000.
Cherry Lake ward includes the suburbs of Altona, Altona North, Brooklyn and Seaholme.
Mr Price, who will be sworn in on Friday night, said he felt honoured to have been elected and looked to continuing his community advocacy as a councillor.
“As a convener of the Hobsons Bay Residents Association (HBRA) and long-term SES Altona volunteer and local Altona resident, I am extremely passionate about ensuring our community is served well by our council.
“I am a genuine independent councillor and am continuing in the footsteps of former councillors like Tony Briffa, Dick Murdoch and Leigh Hardinge.
“My community involvement, including the years as co-convener of the HBRA and regularly attending council meetings has been a good apprenticeship towards being a councillor.
“Tony Briffa has been a kind mentor to me for several years and we have worked together on many local projects including opposing inappropriate developments and dirty industry, while supporting local community groups, businesses and residents.
“I intend to work collaboratively with the community and to championing their expectations and concerns about the local area and the council.”
