New England returning officer, Melissa McLeod said there was a good response to the election ballot from rate payers across the authority, with the ballot closing on Friday, June 19.

“We had 18 candidates vying for six elected director positions on the New England Livestock Health and Pest Authority Board.

“These positions were determined using the ‘first past the post’ voting system, with the six candidates receiving the most number of votes elected.”

New England returning officer, Melissa McLeod said the successful candidates were:

Robyn Jackson

Alan James Swales

Charles Andrew McCowen

Hugh Harold Cordingley

Nigel Dale Scott

Annabell Sides

Directors will take office on 1 July for a four year term.

They will play an active role in how the authority is run and set local priorities and policies for animal health and pest animal issues.

The elected directors will be joined by two appointed directors who will bring to the table specific skills such as accounting, law, commerce or skills complementary to the role of the authority.

Expressions of interest will be sought shortly from interested individuals.

The completion of the director elections is another significant milestone in the Livestock Health and Pest Authority reform process.