The City of Onkaparinga has a new mayor, Sellicks resident Moira Were AM.

She gained 6,810 first preference votes to lead the count; after distribution of  preferences she finished with 9,771 votes, ahead of Mark Neilsen on 9,491 votes.

A Labor Party member, Ms Were says she brings 30 years of leadership experience to the job of mayor.

“I have been CEO of Volunteering SA & NT, a Chief of Staff in government, and global lead for professionals in public participation. 

“I have managed multi- million-dollar budgets and bring wisdom and common sense to deliver value for money. 

She was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for services to social welfare.

Counting of votes for ward councillors is not yet complete, but on first preferences Paul Yeomans and Lauren Jew are ahead in South Coast ward while in Southern Vales ward Marisa Bell is a clear frontrunner.

Most of the other Fleurieu councils may have retained their sitting mayors, but there looks likely to be many new faces among the councillors.

Lou Nicholson, former independent candidate for the state seat of Finniss, will represent Alexandrina West ward, along with returning councillors Bill Coomans and Michael Scott.

In Alexandrina North ward, former Strathalbyn ward councillor Craig Maidment will be joined by new members Sue Miller and Christie Thornton.

With 13 candidates vying for three positions, counting continues in Alexandrina South ward.

In the City of Victor Harbor, Councillor Brayden Mann has been re-elected in a landslide, to serve with Mayor Moira Jenkins. 

Also elected will be new councillor Stewart Burns, while the remaining seven positions will be determined by preferences.

The nine councillors of the District Council of Yankalilla will elect a mayor from among their number at the first meeting of the new regime, scheduled for November 15.

In Light ward Bill Verwey and Davina Quirke will be elected on first preferences, with Glen Rowlands only a few votes behind.

Wayne Gibbs and Tim Moffat will be waiting on the distribution of preferences  to get over the line for the final two positions.

Field Ward will be represented by newly elected councillors Darryl Houston and Lawrence Polomka and re-elected members David Olsson and Simon Rothwell.