Former Liberal-turned-independent MP Sue Hickey, who lost her seat in State Parliament at the May election, has failed in her bid to resurrect her political career as Glenorchy mayor.
Following the local government election in the area north of Hobart, Ms Hickey has been elected as an alderman and offered her congratulations to the successful candidate Bec Thomas.
Alderman Thomas worked as an advisor to Ms Hickey when the latter was Speaker of the House of Assembly.
"The Glenorchy City Council's perilous financial position is a break on progress in our city and must be addressed with innovative solutions, however, the election result indicates the majority of those who voted are happy with the status quo."
First elected to the council in 2018, Cr Thomas won the top job following former mayor Kristie Johnston's election to the Tasmanian Parliament.
"To take this next step and lead our council and our community into the future is an absolute honour and privilege and I will do my absolute best to get it right," Alderman Thomas said.
She said she would focus on community engagement, economic growth, public safety and transport.
By-elections in the south and west
Two other Tasmanian councils — Kingborough in the state's south and the West Coast — also had by-elections following former Kingborough mayor Dean Winter's election to the Tasmanian Parliament and former West Coast mayor Phil Vickers' resignation.
In Kingborough, former Labor minister and incumbent councillor Paula Wriedt was elected mayor.
Clare Glade-Wright was elected as a councillor.
In a statement, acting mayor of Kingborough, Jo Westwood, congratulated Cr Wriedt on becoming the council's first female mayor.
On the West Coast, deputy mayor Shane Pitt will take on the mayoral role, while Queenstown businessman Philip Evans has been elected as a councillor.
Cr Pitt was first elected to the West Coast Council in 2009 and said he was passionate about the area where he has lived his whole life.
He said the success of The Unconformity arts festival and the beginnings of the West Coast as a mountain biking and adventure tourism destination were heralding an exciting time for the West Coast.
In Glenorchy and Kingborough, about half of eligible voters returned their ballot papers, while for the West Coast Council by-election, the response rate was about 58 per cent.
