And, at least one of those leaders is considering nominating for mayor.

Country Labor head Debra O’Brien said she was thrilled her group had the second highest votes above and below the line.

“We’re very, very happy with the result,” she said.

“I hope to consult with the community, listen to them and hear what they have in mind.

Armidale Regional Council administrator Ian Tiley previously confirmed he will nominate for mayor.

But, he won’t have Ms O’Brien’s vote.

“I have got emails and phone calls about people’s concerns about Tiley for mayor,” she said.

“First of all, he’s only just come here – so he’s not actually from the community.

“There are a lot of people here who know the community well, who connect with them and have been here for years – I think that’s really important.

“Whoever leads this next Council should be from Armidale, Guyra, from this region.”

Ms O’Brien will not be putting her hat in the ring.

“I have thought about it, I think for a long time Council has only represented the land owners, the property owners to the extent that they call the people who live here “ratepayers”.

“They’re not ratepayers, they’re residents – I’ll be representing other people who don’t feel they’ve been represented.

“However, at the moment I don’t feel I’d be putting my hand up.”

Number one on Team Margaret O’Connor’s ticket, Margaret O’Connor has gained 1140 votes.

And when it comes to mayor, she said nothing is off the table.

“I do not support Dr Tiley because I think that it’s a conflict of interest, I’ve made that very clear from day one,” Ms O’Connor said.

Mayor or not, she’s excited to get cracking on Council.

“There’s many projects that have been in a state of arrest during the state of the merger that need to be continued.”

Maximising the NBN and building digital confidence are at the top of her to-do list.

The Greens leader Dorothy Robinson has 1108 votes.

“I think it’s fairly good, there’s an awful lot of things we really need to do and I’m glad I’ll get a chance to do them,” Ms Robinson said.

“I’d like to thank all of my supporters for their confidence in me.”

Ms Robinson is waiting to hear who the other councillors are before she makes a decision on moving for mayor.