Election in Berrigan Shire results in councillor representation from its biggest town dropping

District farmer Ted Hatty is its sole representative, with Tocumwal incumbent Ross Bodey missing out along with other candidates from the town, Clare Allen and Mandy Bonat.

At the last election in 2016, three Tocumwal residents were successful.

Others newly elected are current mayor Matt Hannan and John Taylor and Sarah McNaught (from Finley), Barooga duo Carly Marriott and Julia Cornwell McKean and Roger Reynoldson and Renee Paine, of Berrigan.

Mr Bodey was disappointed at the lack of Tocumwal voices, flagging a split of the vote across the town's four contenders and canvassing for a Barooga candidate as possible reasons.

"In the planning there are 150 to 160 house blocks that are going to be subdivided in the next 12 to 15 months and Tocumwal is certainly growing and it's unfortunate it will be down to be represented by one councillor," he said.

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"For the future of Tocumwal that's not a good thing, however I know Ted Hatty well and he's certainly going to be banging the drum for Tocumwal."

Mr Hatty, a former chairman of Southern Riverina Irrigators, noted all councillors had a stake in Tocumwal's development.

"I would like to think that everyone on council will have a vested interest in all the towns progressing and certainly we're all vested in Tocumwal," he said.

"I was a little surprised we didn't get another councillor from Tocumwal, but we'll be doing our best to make sure Tocumwal doesn't miss out, nor should the other towns."

Mr Bodey will continue as president of the Tocumwal Community Development Committee and said he was keen for the council to back industrial growth in the town, citing a highway logistics advantage that should be built upon.

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