Rockhampton mayoral by-election has 17 candidates in the running, with preferences ‘crucial’ to win

Preferences are set to play a crucial role in the outcome of the Rockhampton by-election this Saturday, with a record-breaking 17 candidates in the race to become the region’s new mayor.

In November, long-time mayor Margaret Strelow resigned after she was found guilty of misconduct by the Councillor Conduct Tribunal.

It put a spotlight on the State Government’s newly introduced local government legislation that meant the runner-up at the council election would…