IN what they say is a victory for common sense, Liberal candidates are poised to win seats on Marrickville Council for the first time in 150 years.

Rosana Tyler is likely to get a seat in the west ward and Mark Gardiner in the north ward. No Liberal Party member has ever been elected in Marrickville at a federal, state or local level, apart from the state MP for the now non-existent seat of Dulwich Hill, John Thomas Ness from 1927-1935.

Mrs Tyler yesterday had increased her lead to 250 votes, admitting the "nail biting" wait to find out the final results after preferences and postal votes are counted was all but over.

"I'm starting to feel a bit more relaxed about it all now," she said.

Katie - another Green voter who got away

"It basically means the Greens don't control the council anymore."

She said she stood for "common sense decision making" with a focus on "roads, rates and rubbish".

Mr Gardiner said while the results wouldn't be completely counted until tomorrow morning, he was "quietly confident and very pleased".

"I'm still very surprised," he said.

Originally published as Bastion of Greens lets in Liberals