Labor candidates Doug Vincent and Jillian Hogan are on track to be elected, while Liberal candidate Garry Whitaker and independent Greg Best are locked in a tight contest for the third vacancy.

Preferences will determine the outcome this week.

Three councillors will be elected from each of the five wards across the Central Coast.

The southern boundary of the Budgewoi ward takes in Toukley, Gorokan, Kanwal and parts of Woongarrah.

The ward extends north through Budgewoi, Halekulani, Buff Point and San Remo up to Doyalson, Mannering Park, Lake Munmorah and Summerland Point to the Lake Macquarie local government border.

Voters will be keen to see how the newly elected councillors go about implementing the roll out of the council’s $189-million spend on roads this financial year.

The investment, announced in June as part of council’s first integrated operational plan, is delivering a total of $551 million of investment in essential services and a record $207.9 million on capital works across the Central Coast.

The need to maintain and upgrade the road network was a theme raised constantly with council by residents and businesses, former council administrator Ian Reynolds said.

“The improvement of transport infrastructure including roads, shared pathways and cycle ways will remain a priority for Central Coast Council as our community continues to grow,” Mr Reynolds said.

Of particular interest to voters is the method council will use to determine which roads receive priority treatment.

Council engaged data collection specialists to conduct a comprehensive road condition assessment using lasers and video footage across its entire sealed road network.

The project will provide roads data that will underpin the future allocation of funds.​