With 10 of 12 booths counted on Tuesday, Cr McCulloch extended her lead over Kim Coghlan to 577 votes and she told the North West Star today that although she preferred to wait for the official results it was clear she had won the election.

“I’m very pleased with the result and I thank the community and voters who believed in me,” Cr McCulloch said.

“I’m especially proud of my entire team, three of whom were taking part in their first election.”

Cr McCulloch said the mayor’s role should be community-focussed and apolitical.

“I leave the (party) politics to the state and federal government,” she said.

“I want to do my job and get the best for our community.”

Cr McCulloch thanked her family, friends and supporters for their help during the campaign.

“Without them I couldn’t have achieved this result,” she said.

“I also acknowledge the many special messages I’ve received in the last few days.”

Cr McCulloch also praised all the candidates who put their name forward as well as the staff who conducted the ballot.

“It’s a big step in your life to put yourself forward for an election,” she said.

“And Sharon from Mount Isa Council stepped up to run the election and did really well with the resources she had.”

The new mayor will be joined in council by three members of Team McCulloch, George Fortune, Phil Barwick and Jean Ferris and three members of Team Coghlan, two of which are definites: Mick Tully and Paul Stretton.

The last seat is a nailbiter between two teammates Peta Macrae and Shaz Sellings with Ms Macrae ahead by 26 votes with 9 of the 12 booths counted.

The election will be officially declared on March 29.