Shire president loses election

OUTGOING Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Council president Angelo Logiudice who served the community as a councillor since 2009 was not re-elected in the Local Government Elections on Saturday.

Mr Logiudice held the position for the past two years, but trailed 70 votes behind councillor Anne Mitchell (1073 votes) to lose his seat.

Brian Piesse was elected as the new president over fellow nominee Dawn Tan after two ballots at the special council meeting on Monday and Leanne Wringe was elected as deputy.

The shire boasted a 55.24 per cent return rate, with 26 informal votes returned and 46 rejected by West Australian Electoral Commission.

John Bailey was another councillor who did not regain his seat, polling only 752 votes.

The council welcomed four new councillors, Leanne Wringe topping the votes on 1654 votes.

This was followed by Shane Atherton (1491), Anita Lindemann (1243), Brian Piesse (1192) and councillor Anne Mitchell who has served since 2009.

Councillors Steve Dilley and Leith Crowley opted not to re-nominate in this election.

Chief executive officer Ben Rose said Mr Logiudice had worked worked “extremely hard” and oversaw some “difficult decisions” in his time as president, but it was the “wondrous” nature of democracy to throw up unexpected results.

Mr Rose said he was pleased with the return rate which had increased by almost 30 per cent since the last election.

“We actively encouraged the community to exercise their right to vote so it is very pleasing to see such a high rate of participation,” he said It shows a keen interest by the community in the important business of local government,” he said.

“I look forward to working alongside the new Council. Our new Councillors will hit the ground running with their first Council meeting only days after the election and a lot of work to do.

“Everyone who puts their hand up to join Council, whether successful or not, should be congratulated for their willingness to serve their community.

“At this election we said goodbye to some long-serving Councillors whom we thank wholeheartedly for their hard work and dedication over many years. Steve Dilley and Leith Crowley had been on Council since 2005 and Angelo Logiudice and John Bailey since 2009.”