Tasmania’s local governments see significant turnover in 2026 elections

The election resulted in a reduction of councillors statewide, decreasing from 263 to 213. Larger councils, including Hobart City, Launceston, Clarence, Kingborough, and Glenorchy, now have nine councillors each, while others have seven.

Election analyst Kevin Bonham noted a significant turnover of councillors, despite the challenges faced by sitting members. “There are always a lot of incumbents to get re-elected in local government, but there have been quite a few who have been knocked out, particularly in the south, and often by new candidates,” he stated.

Several long-serving mayors stepped down, including Anna Reynolds, who relinquished her position as Hobart Lord Mayor after eight years. Other mayors choosing not to seek re-election included those in Huon Valley, George Town, Latrobe, Meander Valley, Kingborough, Waratah-Wynyard, and West Tamar.

Bonham described the mayoral races as producing “unusual results,” citing the Clarence election where a candidate finishing sixth on the ballot was elected mayor. He also noted that in many instances, deputy mayors successfully secured the mayoral position when vacancies arose.

King Island and Tasman councils experienced a unique situation where the number of nominations fell short of available vacancies, leading to councillors being elected unopposed. At Hobart City Council, the deputy lord mayor position will be filled by a councillor vote at the council’s first meeting, as the previous deputy did not retain their seat.

In Hobart, three sitting councillors were unsuccessful, reflecting a shift in voter preference. “The left had Anna Reynolds and Helen Burnet at the last election. There weren’t many new left candidates coming through to replace them, and that has actually caused the swing in the make-up of the council,” Bonham explained.

Unsuccessful candidates remain on standby for potential vacancies during the four-year term.

**Council Results:**

* **Break O’Day:** Mick Tucker (Mayor), Kristi Chapple (Deputy Mayor) * **Brighton:** Leigh Gray (Mayor), Greg Irons (Deputy Mayor) * **Burnie City:** Giovanna Simpson (Mayor), Amina Keygan (Deputy Mayor) * **Central Coast:** Cheryl Fuller (Mayor), John Beswick (Deputy Mayor) * **Central Highlands:** Loueen Triffitt (Mayor), John Hall (Deputy Mayor, unopposed) * **Clarence City:** Drew Jenner (Mayor), Allison Ritchie (Deputy Mayor) * **Derwent Valley:** Casey Farrell (Mayor), Luke Browning (Deputy Mayor) * **Devonport City:** Alison Jarman (Mayor), Stacey Sheehan (Deputy Mayor) * **Dorset:** Rhys Beattie (Mayor), Scott Auton (Deputy Mayor) * **Flinders:** Rachel Summers (Mayor), Vanessa Grace (Deputy Mayor, unopposed) * **George Town:** Greg Dawson (Mayor), Winston Mason (Deputy Mayor) * **Glamorgan-Spring Bay:** Greg Raspin (Mayor), Elizabeth Grey (Deputy Mayor) * **Glenorchy City:** Sue Hickey (Mayor), Kelly Sims (Deputy Mayor) * **Hobart City:** Charles Wooley (Mayor), Deputy Lord Mayor to be elected by council * **Huon Valley:** Abby McKibben (Mayor), Debbie Armstrong (Deputy Mayor) * **Kentish:** Kate Haberle (Mayor, unopposed), Phillip Richards (Deputy Mayor) * **King Island:** Sarina Laidler (Mayor), Ian Allan (Deputy Mayor) * **Kingborough:** Jo Westwood (Mayor), Will Perry (Deputy Mayor) * **Latrobe:** Vonette Mead (Mayor), Mal Hingston (Deputy Mayor) * **Launceston City:** Matthew Garwood (Mayor), Susie Cai (Deputy Mayor) * **Meander Valley:** Stephanie Cameron (Mayor), Susie Bower (Deputy Mayor) * **Northern Midlands:** (Results not provided)