King Island Council election finalised

The King Island Council election has been finalised with the election of Andrea Bowden and Saverina Stella to the last two Councillor positions.

Ms Bowden (409 votes) and Ms Stella (328 votes) defeated Lara Aylward (178 votes) for the final two spots on the Council, after the first five spots were earlier filled uncontested.

Mr Bowden, who first came to King Island in 2000 work on a dairy farm, brings experience in agriculture, business, shipping and logistics, along with a background in public administration and community advocacy.

Together with her husband, she operates an agricultural contracting business and small farm. She has also worked in shipping and logistics in the United States.

In her election campaign, Ms Bowden identified freight costs, transparency and practical support for local businesses as major priorities.

"Freight, freight, freight," she said when asked about her priorities. "We need to pull every lever that we can to try and address that both for sea and air freight because we don't have the option of road travel."

Ms Stella has lived on King Island for three years and is involved with the Lions Club and King Island Racing Club.

During her election campaign, she identified reliable transport, sustainable waste management and a resilient local economy as priorities.

She said the cost and reliability of air and sea services affected virtually every aspect of island life, including healthcare, education, business, tourism and household expenses.

While acknowledging council did not operate those services, Ms Stella said it had an important advocacy role in bringing community concerns together and maintaining strong relationships with transport providers and the state and federal governments.

The pair join Councillors Ian Allan, Dennis Beveridge, David Bowden, Ira Cooke, and Sarina Laidler in the new slimline seven-person Council. Sarina Laidler was elected Mayor, and Ian Allan Deputy Mayor.