Gareth Ward officially declared winner

He was officially elected for another term when the seat’s returning officer Barry Wilson declared the poll in Kiama on Thursday. 

‘‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be representing my electorate again; it’s one of the greatest honours a community can bestow on anybody,’’ Mr Ward said.

‘‘I’m conscious of the enormous burden but absolutely thrilled at the opportunity.’’

Mr Ward said the swing towards him was about 0.6per cent, but Kiama was one of only a handful of Liberal seats with a swing to the party.

‘‘It was nice to have a small swing towards us and of course the largest primary vote swing to any sitting government member in the state,’’ he said. 

After the distribution of preferences, Mr Ward won 58.66per cent of the vote to Labor candidate Glenn Kolomeitz’s 41.34per cent. 

No Land Tax candidate Carmel Pellegrini was excluded in count one, followed by Steve Ryan (CDP), Terry Barratt (Greens) and Mr Kolomeitz. 

Meanwhile, the NSW Electoral Commission has listed Liberal Lee Evans (Heathcote) and Labor’s Ryan Park (Keira) as elected in their respective seats. 

After preferences Mr Evans secured 57.59per cent of the count, ahead of Labor’s Maryanne Stuart on 42.41per cent. 

Mr Park polled 67.40per cent of the Keira vote after preferences, finishing well ahead of Liberal Philip Clifford (32.60per cent). 

Final numbers for Shellharbour MP Anna Watson and Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay are yet to be determined.

In Wollongong, the primary vote check count was continuing late Thursday.

Ms Hay had 40.36per cent of the vote, ahead of Liberal Cameron Walters (21.07per cent) and Independent Arthur Rorris (20.46per cent).