The independent candidate for Cowper said regardless of the result, the community had won out of the election.

The final result will come down to preferences.

Mr Oakeshott recognised his team of supporters.

“Thank you all for stepping up again, regardless of the result,” he said.

On the Margins: Five seats in the mix

8.30pm: The race for Cowper is lineball, independent candidate Rob Oakeshott says.

He told supporters the result would depend on The Greens and Labor preferences.

“We are still waiting on three or four big central booths,” he said.

Independent candidate Rob Oakeshott and his supporters are gathering to watch the results roll in.

But the figures are changing quickly.

And as the first of the larger booth count figures came through, Mr Oakeshott said earlier in the count that if the figures stayed the same, he would win.

But Mr Oakeshott said even a loss was a win.

“We put the area on the map politically and in the next three years there should be a lot of action and doors should open for business and the community of the Mid North and Coffs Coast,” he said.

Luke Hartsuyker arrived back at his office in Coffs Harbour at 7.30pm and was greeted by his supporters.

He will spend the evening watching the results unfold after a long day travelling the Mid-North Coast.

“I’ve put a very strong case for my re-election and my views are there for all to see. It will be up to the people of Cowper to make their judgement,” he said.