REDLANDS drawn-out election may see a conservative voting bloc in place behind mayor Karen Williams which will signal a change in the council balance of power.
Bowman's buoyant LNP MP Andrew Laming said that with a strong chance that Division 7 Cr Murray Elliott would fall to Rowanne McKenzie, the new council was likely in for a shake up.
Mr Laming said a left ploy to strengthen its position within the council fell apart as attempts to roll Cr Williams failed.
"The Labor and Redlands2030 attack backfired and their meddling has turned a five-six green council they dominated, into a six-five council led by Cr Williams or it may end up seven-four, should Allison Wicks or Paul Gleeson win the near dead heat (Division 9) in Capalaba," he said.
Mr Laming said Cr Williams' re-election was a hit to Labor with left-leaning Division 2 candidates being defeated by Cr Mitchell.
This was also a blow to activist group Redlands2030.
Cr Williams said she had expected most councillors to be returned and based on figures so far, it appeared that would be the case.
"There are still a couple of divisions that are too close to call and if I am returned I will respect the community by working with the councillors they have elected. People are tired of gutter politics, they want community representation," she said.
Mr Laming, who was admonished by Cr Williams for his politicking during the campaign, said his involvement started only after a Labor/Green attack was launched.
"It appears my decisive campaign has succeeded," he said. "It was based on ... an exclusive focus on policy, performance and actions, not sledging."
Cr Williams said there were too many people sitting on the sidelines trying to pull the strings in Redlands politics.
"Whether it is local MPs from other levels of government or so called 'community groups' with their own agendas, I wish they would just all let the elected councillors get on with doing the job we are elected to do," she said.
Mr Laming accused Redlands2030 of running a dishonest campaign based on an anti-Toondah agenda.
"This was unfair because Toondah is a federal/state decision, not one for Redland City councillors. Voters were deceived into believing that replacing councillors and booting Mayor Williams would stop the project, but it backfired," he said.
Redlands2030 president Steve McDonald said he would rather not comment before results were finalised.
"At this time, it is hard to make an intelligent comment on the results of Redland City Council election. I would say we would welcome an inquiry into the performance of the ECQ as many other commentators have already said, they had one job to do and blew it," he said.
The ECQ count suffered from computer software issues, a large volume of postal votes, and changes in procedures to manage social distancing.
