Shellharbour mayor hopeful Chris Homer says he is in an "unassailable position" now the ABC's chief election anaylst Antony Green has called him elected, despite 15 per cent of the vote yet to be counted.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I'm ecstatic," Mr Homer said.
"Antony Green is the guru, everyone is listening to the guru and making up their minds and moving forward.
"I've had a call from the CEO of council, but it won't be announced until the 21st."
However incumbent mayor Marianne Saliba has said she's not conceding yet.
"Who knows, greater miracles have happened," she said.
"It's not looking likely, but I'll be very pleased if it's a different outcome.
"If my hundred per cent isn't enough, then that is what it is."
Ms Saliba said either way, she looked forward to the future.
"On one side I'm very proud of what I've done, and whether or not I'm mayor I'll still be passionate about the City of Shellharbour," she said.
"On the other hand, it's taken almost all of my life for the past ten years, and if there's more time with my children and my family, that's not a bad thing."
The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.