REDLAND City mayor Karen Williams was able to rise above a bitter election campaign and, short of declaring victory, was quietly confident of a second term.
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The 50-year-old mother of two was emotional at her victory party at her Mount Cotton home after a hot day on the campaign trail visiting more than 20 polling stations.
She said the long campaign had taken its toll and she was glad it was over and was ready to put her five-point plan into action.
Cr Williams looked set to take back her job and with just under half of the votes counted, Cr Williams had 57 per cent of the vote, down from her 2012 mayoral debut when she won nearly 70 per cent.
She held the majority vote in Divisions 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 but it was still too early to call before going to press.
Cr Williams said the very large postal and pre-poll vote could amount to 25 per cent of ballots and it would be unfair to call the election until they had all been tallied.
She said a grubby campaign was run against her but she was pleased with the outcome.
"It seems that people have seen that Redlands needs to keep on track and we need to keep delivering on those pledges I've made," she said.
"It's obvious that we need a good team on Redland City Council and at this point in time, it's too early to call, but I feel that people have actually seen that I have delivered what I promised.
"If re-elected, I look forward to doing exactly that for the next four years.
"...Indications show that people have seen that Redland City is on track and I've actually delivered on what I committed to do and with the support of council we can continue to do that."
Her opponent, former council general manager Greg Underwood, 61, was awaiting the official result and said it was too early to declare defeat on Sunday.
But he said he was happy with the result on a shoestring budget.
"It's been a hectic few weeks and I am relieved it's over - as are probably all the candidates," he said.
"It would have been nice to have won but I'm hoping the next council will adhere to the proposal for a business park in Thornlands, in a bid to create jobs and return the balance."
Long-serving councillor for Cleveland and Stradbroke Island Craig Ogilvie was awaiting allocation of preferences to see if he got across the line.
He had stiff competition from Cleveland physio Peter Mitchell and former Redlands 2030 member Tom Taranto.
He was also exposed during the last week of campaigning for indiscrete filming of himself on a council iphone.
"Fallout from the council leak of allegations and the subsequent whisper campaign cast a big shadow over the election and I'm looking forward to council launching an independent investigation," Cr Ogilvie said.
"But remaining a valid candidate despite that and the huge resources thrown at me is incredibly humbling.
"I don't see a cohesive team or direction for council going forward. Some people threw some crazy promises out there to win and that's a recipe for disaster."
Cr Ogilvie said he would notify police after a volunteer at the Cleveland State High School booth kicked him in the shins making his leg bleed on election day.
Although counting of preferences for divisional councillors was likely to continue until the end of this week, Division 1 councillor Wendy Boglary kept the northern seat she has held since 2008.
In Division 3, new comer Paul Golle was set to win ousting two candidates, Penny Donald and Karyn Owen, both backed by federal LNP member Andrew Laming.
"I ran a grassroots campaign and the others may have relied too heavily on the LNP backing," Mr Golle said.
"The hard work begins from now as Division 3 has been neglected for four years.
"I will be watching to see what happens to complaints about the boundary bungle which affected about 500 voters in division 3 but is unlikely to change the end result."
Anti small-lot development crusader Lance Hewlett beat his rival, Victoria Point real estate agent Jim Harling in Division 4, with 49per cent of the vote counted Cr Hewlett had more than 65 per cent of the vote.
Cr Mark Edwards retained his Division 5 seat and had 72 per cent of votes after 48 per cent was counted.
In Division 6, sitting councillor Julie Talty, daughter of former councillor John Burns, raced across the line with 56 per cent of the votes after 42 per cent was counted.
Long-time councillor Murray Elliott retained his Division 7 seat but former deputy mayor Alan Beard had a fight on his hands with ALP supporter Tracey Huges winning 43 per cent of early votes.
An ALP-supported candidate Jess McNamara had 57 per cent of the primary vote in early results and looked likely to oust the incumbent, former carpet cleaner Paul Gleeson.
In Division 10, a two-horse race, sitting councillor and former TV actor Paul Bishop was across the line with 72 per cent after more than 54 per cent of the vote was counted.
Counting will continue this week.
