Only two sitting councillors returned to DV Council

Only two sitting Councillors were returned in this year's Derwent Valley Council elections, with three new Councillors elected, and two past Councillors returning.

Re-elected Councillors Michelle Dracoulis and Luke Browning will be joined by new Councillors Casey Farrell, Neil Biggar and Jess Burns, and past members Julie Triffett and former Mayor Ben Shaw also returning to office.

Councillors to lose their seats in the 2026 Election were Justin Derksen, Sara Lowe, Wayne Shoobridge and Phillip Bingley. 

Luke Browning has been re-elected as Deputy Mayor of the Derwent Valley winning the position by 243 votes from new candidate Melinda Pearce.

Browning polled 3092 votes and 52% of the vote to win from Pearce on 2849 and 48% after count 5 with Ben Shaw, Phillip Bigg, Justin Derksen, Sara Lowe, Tony Nicholson, Phillip Bingley and James Randall excluded during the progression of the count.  

After first preference votes Ben Shaw held 1040 at 15.7% with just a 7 vote lead over Luke Browning(1033) at 15.6% with Phillip Bigg 51 votes behind Browning on 982 votes and 14.8%. Other first preference results for candidates included Melinda Pearce 966 votes- 14.6%, Justin Derksen 890 -13.4%, Sara Lowe 854 -12.9%, Tony Nicholson 329 -5%,Phillip Bingley 327 -4.9% and James Randall 203-3.1%.

Browning backs up as Deputy Mayor from the last term to newly elected mayor Casey Farrell.

The seven councillors elected to the Derwent Valley Council on order of election are Michelle Dracoulis 1028 votes @ 14.9%, Casey Farrell 975 votes @ 14.1%, Neil Biggar 813 votes @ 11.8%, Julie Triffett 470 votes @ 6.8%, Jess Burns 440 votes @ 6.4%, Luke Browning 349 votes @ 5% and Ben Shaw 386 @ 5.1%.