Councillor Janie Finlay was the biggest spender in her campaign for mayor. However she spent about double what re-elected mayor Albert van Zetten did. 

Spending just under the allowed $16,000, Cr Finlay forked out $14,902.60 on her campaign. Cr van Zetten spent $8455.46.  

Councillor Nick Daking was the council’s second biggest spender, with a campaign costing $9742.20. About half was spent on signs, posters and notices, and $3850 on website and social media advertising.  

Councillor Rob Soward spent more than $7100 on radio advertising, and had a total spend of $7119.86.

Spending $2500 with newspaper advertising, Councillor Paul Spencer’s total was $4799. Cr Spencer’s total was closely followed by Councillor Alan Harris, who spent $4676.61. Councillor Hugh McKenzie and deputy mayor Danny Gibson spent about $4000. 

Thane Brady, Simon Wood and Brian Roe, who did not get elected, spent between $3380 and $2039. 

Emma Williams, Ryan Limb, Robin McKendrick, and Bruce Potter, who also did not get elected, spent about $1000. Elected Councillor Andrea Dawkins spent just $1130.66 on her campaign. 

Councillors Tim Walker and Karina Stojansek spent about $800 to get elected. 

Krista Preece, Mark Tapsell, Damien Springer, Basil Fitch and Ann Blake spends ranged from $746.57 to just $50.20 and did not get elected. 

Councillor Jim Cox declared no funds, but was re-elected. 

Matthew Bowen, Leon Cooper and Daniel Groat, spent nothing, but did not get elected. Candidates Bob Salt, Gary Madden, Joshua Sherrin and Tegan Sweeney are yet to return their candidate spending declarations. 

The Tasmania Electoral Commission deputy commissioner Ngaire Edwards said candidates who had not returned their forms could face serious consequences. 

“Around the state there is less than 5 per cent that we’re still waiting on,” she said. 

“I think we’re down to about 18. Some we know are interstate and overseas at the moment and they’ve got little parts to do.” 

Candidates only had to report their spending during the election’s relevant period which was from August 9. 

Events, such as Cr Finlay’s campaign launch party at the Albert Hall, did not have to be declared because it was held on August 8.  

According to Ms Edwards, candidates still had to declare promotional material if it was purchased before the relevant period. 

Ms Edwards said no candidate state-wide had overspent during the campaign.