Further counting has seen the Gundagai favourite add a further 302 votes to his Sunday tally of 806 and become the first ever CGRC candidate to accumulate over 1000 votes.

As of Monday 12pm, September 11, the outspoken anti-merger advocate sits 482 votes clear of his nearest rival and will almost certainly regain his former council post.

Meanwhile Cootamundra's Doug Phillips has firmly entrenched himself as a council contender after doubling his Sunday tally overnight.

The former Cootamundra shire mayor now holds 626 votes, over 200 votes clear of third-placed independent Charlie Sheahan (420) and local surprise packet Gil Kelly (375). 

Gundagai's David Graham rounds out the cumulative top five with 270 votes while female trio Leigh Bowden (266), Penny Nicholson (254) and Amy Turner (221) are strong contenders. 

As of 10.30am Monday, September 11, 6,479 formal votes have been counted. 

Counting is expected to take days more as preferences are taken into consideration. 

The NSW Electoral Commission advises a final field of nine councillors to move the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council may not be available until next Saturday, September 16. 

More election coverage here. 

Check out the official council polls here.