Polls have closed in the fiercely contest by-election for the NSW seat of Kiama, vacated by disgraced MP Gareth Ward.

Counting is underway after more than 60,000 people in the south coast seat voted for a new member of parliament.

Ward held the seat from his election in 2011 until his resignation last month after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men after a nine-week trial in the NSW District Court.

Blackbutt local Emma Onus said she was glad there would be a new representative for the community.

"I think most people are glad to see Gareth go, to be honest," she said.

" We all need representation. We're a big area and we have a lot of issues and we need those looked at and by someone who has the area's interest at heart. "

The four-week campaign, which brought Pr

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