Dunbogan’s Peter Alley and Bonny Hills resident Lee Dixon have each secured a spot on Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

The electronic distribution of preferences showed the councillor candidates, in order of election, as Rob Turner, Mike Cusato, Sharon Griffiths, Peter Alley, Justin Levido, Geoff Hawkins, Lisa Intemann and Lee Dixon.

Peter Besseling has been returned as the popularly elected mayor.

Cr Alley said it was good to finally get elected as a councillor, particularly after such a close call last time.

“The fact that this time around we went from zero to two representatives in the Camden Haven, certainly the community has felt we do need better representation [from the Camden Haven] and we do need a voice at the table,” he said.

Cr Alley said there was a big learning process ahead of him and he looked forward to that.

The lead candidate on the Country Labor group said his political affiliation gave him the values he took into the council – nothing more and nothing less.

Cr Dixon, the other new face, was elected as the second candidate on Cr Cusato’s ticket.

The business owner and Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce president said he was a little bit shocked about his election.

Cr Dixon said he had the knowledge of the area and the skills to make a difference.

He stressed the importance of communication and transparency.

Cr Dixon said he would try to convey to the community more about the council’s actions and reasons behind those actions.

The new councillor expects to face a steep learning curve in the coming months.

Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peter Besseling said he was pleased there was some good geographical diversity on the council.

The councillors are drawn from the Camden Haven, the Wauchope area and Port Macquarie.

The councillors will now attend an intensive induction program.