Barnstorming Butler bolts in

By Alison Noonan
OUTSPOKEN councillor Colin Butler stormed home to reclaim his seat in Balla Balla Ward at Saturday’s Casey Council elections.
Cr Butler enjoyed a clear victory in the four-way contest for the city’s largest ward.
The southern councillor polled 4,207 first preference votes to finish ahead of new candidates Ben Turnbull (1,805), Derek Mosely (1,547) and Tony Camilleri (705).
Cr Butler said he was pleased with the result after a relatively low-key election campaign.
“I was fairly confident I would be re-elected,” he said.
“I am happy to be back in. It just shows I must have done a few things right over the last three years.”
Cr Butler said he had a large agenda to put forward for the next council term, including fixing rural roads and the completion of the rates review.
“My re-election now gives me a chance to finish some of the projects I started this year.
“I want to start the road scheme and revolutionise the way council makes its roads.
“I’m looking forward to a big year. It will be interesting to see what will happen with overseas travel now that I have a few supporters on council,” he said. The youngest Balla Balla Ward candidate, Ben Turnbull, said he was happy to finish second against a tough opponent in Cr Butler.
“I expected to come second because Colin was always going to be tough to beat.
“But I’m happy with the result as it was my first time running and I probably didn’t do as much promotion as I should,” he said. Mr Turnbull said he would nominate as a Liberal candidate again, possibly in the State elections.
“I will definitely run again in the future. Probably in local government but maybe a state seat,” he said.