The new Sutherland Shire Council won't be finalised until the middle of next week, more than a fortnight after the election.
Postal votes close at 6pm on Friday December 17 and the preferences for all votes will be distributed on Tuesday morning, December 21.
Once the vote count is completed, candidates have 24 hours to request a recount before the poll is declared.
The new council will be sworn in on January 10.
The latest figures continue to indicate the Liberals will fill eight of the 15 positions, Labor five, with two independents.
In A Ward, the gap between independent Leanne Farmer and Labor's Michael Forshaw has narrowed, but probably not enough for the former senator to win.
Independent Dominique Passmore has also improved her position in D Ward, but is still likely to fall short.
The likely makeup of the council:
A Ward: Carol Provan (Liberal), Marcelle Elzerman (Libera), Leanne Farmer (independent).
B Ward: Louise Sullivan (Liberal), Kent Johns (Liberal), Jack Boyd (Labor).
C Ward: Hassan Awada (Liberal), Haris Strangas (Liberal), Jen Armstrong (Labor).
D Ward: Diedree Steinwall (Labor), Greg McLean (Labor), Carmelo Pesce (Liberal).
E Ward: Stephen Nikolovski (Liberal), Peter Scaysbrook (Labor), Laura Cowell (independent).
Murray Trembath
St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news. Email: mtrembath@theleader.com.au
St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news. Email: mtrembath@theleader.com.au
