Experience prevails but referendum fails in Collie local elections

Collie residents have narrowly rejected paying up to 15 per cent more in rates for an indoor heated swimming pool in a poll run in conjunction with Saturday’s local government elections.

The nearly 6800 Collie electors were asked if they would support the pool if the total cost of up to $8 million was funded externally to the Shire and accept a rates increase of between 5 to 15 per cent for ongoing operational costs.

Of the 2347 Collie electors who voted on Saturday, 55.26 per cent rejected the swimming pool.

In addition to the swimming pool question, electors were asked to vote on which of the eight candidates should fill the seven vacant seats on the council.

“It’s been an ongoing issue for many, many, many years and full credit to the group that has been advocating for it,” he said.

“At the end of the day, the council decided that the referendum was the best way to go and put it to the people and the people have spoken.”

Three of the seven seats contested in Collie came after the resignation mid-term of councillors Sarah Stanely and Rebecca Woods and Cr Brent White deciding not to re-contest his seat after one term.

Along with Cr Miffling, Cr Gary Faries will be returning to his seat after each polled more than a fifth of the votes.

Cr Miffling was sworn in as Shire president during Wednesday night’s special council meeting, following on from his deputy president role in the last council.

Both Paul Moyses and Dale Hill-Power will be the fresh faces as their bids to join the council were successful with 11.58 per cent and 11.38 per cent respectively.

Joe Italiano was the final candidate to get a four-year term with the incumbent councillor securing his seat until 2027 with 9.77 per cent of the vote.

He will begin that term as the deputy president after being elected to the position by the council.

Taking the final two positions on the council until 2025 were Brett Hansen and John Kearney who both received a little under 10 per cent of the vote and will retain their seats.

Cr Faries has been on the council for almost 20 years and said he hoped this council could continue to serve the community well.

“I hope the next four years are as exciting as the last 20 because it’s certainly been a hell of a ride and hopefully we make the right decisions for our community and take our community forward in the 21st century,” he said.