It is likely that Terry Bransdon will be returned, as will Howard Crozer and Judith Turley as the number twos on their respective tickets.

The full result is not likely to be known for a few days. The last two places could then be taken by either Paul Cockram, John Van der Straaten, Anne Goonan, or Walter Raynolds. With over 75% of the vote from the Braidwood polling booth going below the line, and the likely parochial nature of those votes, following East side candidates, some of the independent Braidwood candidates may just pick up enough preferences to get over the line.

The former Tallaganda Shire area will then have only one, or possibly two Councillors, and none actually resident in Braidwood.

At the time of printing, with 6421 first preference votes counted (out of 9,424), the highest individual polling was for Richard Graham from Mulloon, with 798 votes or 13.23%. Graham had engaged in the most visible campaign of the election with direct mailing, advertising and numerous posters on the Kings Highway.

The highest group vote was for Ian Marjeson's Group A 'Palerang United' with 854 votes, which gives the ticket two quotas, and possibly more with an exchange of preferences with the Burra Group E,

Former Mayor Terry Bransdon's 'Get the Balance Right' ticket from Wamboin/Bywong polled 468 group votes, with only 86 from the Wamboin booth. Individually Bransdon gained only 48 votes.

Catherine Moore's Community First ticket polled 761 group votes, 363 of which were from Bungendore, and 336 individual votes.

Judith Miller's 'Progressive Palerang' ticket gained 714 votes with 346 coming from Wamboin. Independent Paul Cockram from Mongarlowe scored a creditable 271.

The position of Mayor will be voted in by the incoming Councillors and is likely to be between Marjeson, Bransdon or newcomer Graham.

4.5 million voters in 148 council areas across NSW voted on Saturday and results can be seen at www.elections.nsw.gov.au