The counting continues for the 2017 Local Government elections with Snowy Monaro Regional Council electors having cast their vote on Saturday.

For the newly amalgamated council, 27 candidates stood for the 11 councillor positions on offer.

As at lunch time Monday, Bombala’s Bob Stewart in group A is holding the lead with 1543 votes. Mr Stewart was a councillor for the former Bombala Council for 22 years and mayor for the last 12 years.  

Closely following Mr Stewart is transport operator Lynley Miners with 1428 votes.

Mr Miners is a transport operator from Adaminaby who travels to Bombala, Delegate, Cathcart and outlying areas.

Also ahead on votes is one of the youngest candidates, James “Boo” Ewart, an apprentice carpenter and the fifth generation on a farm at Peak View. Mr Ewart has 1009 votes to date.

At this stage of counting, those three are the only candidates to have earned a position on council on first preferences.

The progressive quota as at noon Monday was 907.

The remainder of the positions will likely be decided by preference distribution in days to come.

However, those in stronger positions currently include John Castellari from East Jindabyne with 717 votes and John Last with 706 votes. Mr Last is in group A with Bob Stewart and Anne Maslin.

Then with 683 votes is Brian Old followed by Peter Beer of East Jindabyne on 605 votes.

John Rooney of Michelago has 533 votes; Rogan Corbett of Jindabyne and Berridale has 468; former Cooma Monaro Shire councillor Winston Phillips has 354 votes; and John Shumack has 303 votes.

Anne Maslin of Bombala, also in Group A, has 279 votes.