The independent Mr Homer has been declared elected by the NSW Electoral Commission with 24,434 first preference votes, defeating Labor's Ms Saliba 52.8 per cent to 47.2 per cent.

Ms Saliba is now out of council after nine years, as she did not run for a councillor position in any of the wards.

This result had been looking likely for more than a week as counting slowed to a trickle.

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But Mr Homer was careful not to declare victory prematurely - while admitting he felt like he was in "a very strong position".

He had earlier said he felt confident after a strong campaign and could not have done anything else.

Mr Homer rode a wave of popular opposition to increased development of the Killalea State Reserve, which succeeded in having - on the eve of the election - Killalea announced to be soon becoming part of the National Parks estate.

There was a total of 47,759 ballot papers received in the Shellharbour mayoral election, from a total population (including children) of 74,622.

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