Council positions open up

The departure of four councillors retiring from the Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Council does not concern shire president Brian Piesse.

In a first for the council, four long-standing councillors with a total of 33 years experience in local government, have bid farewell to the South West shire.

Among those retiring is Cr Mike King who has served on the council for eight years.

Cr Fred Mills will also retire after about 17 years of service in local governments, including the City of Gosnells and Shire of Exmouth. Cr Dawn Tan and Cr Ryan Van Der Heide have also decided to retire after four years with the council.

Cr Piesse said the loss would make it challenging moving forward with a number of large-scale projects under way including the Donnybrook Town Centre Revitalisation Project and the Apply Fun Park redevelopment.

But he said he was looking forward to fresh faces and the diversity the new candidates could bring.

“It will no doubt take time for the new councillors to come to terms with what is expected from them,” he said.

“As always though new people, new faces, new skills and experience will bring new vision, particularly with three relatively young candidates.”

Five candidates have thrown their name in the hat to fill the four vacancies including Donnybrook-Balingup Chamber of Commerce and Industry committee member Chris Smith and Balingup representative Jackie Massey.

Also joining the list is Phil Jones with 25 years experience in senior management including local government, Chaz Newman and Shane Sercombe.

This year’s Dardanup Shire Council candidate pool has 11 people vying for four positions.

Cr James Lee, Cr Patricia Perks and Cr Peter Robinson are re-nominating for another term.

Capel Shire Council has 13 candidates gunning for five positions.

Cr Barry Bell, Cr Brian Hearne, Cr Peter McCleery, Cr Sebastian Schiano and Cr Jennifer Scott up for re-election.

Collie Shire Council has eight candidates, including three new faces, vying for seven positions including six four-year terms and one two-year term.

Cr Gary Faries, Cr Joe Italiano, Cr John Piavanini, Cr Elysia Harverson and Cr Ian Miffling are re-nominating.

Votes will be counted on Saturday.