Nominations to start as six council seats open

Nominations to run for the Shire of Denmark council will open this week, with six seats up for grabs.

Shire president Ceinwen Gearon’s seat will be on the line, with her term ending this year.

Cr Gearon is not willing to comment if she is planning to run again this year.

Meanwhile, deputy Shire president Peter Caron’s seat will be filled by a new councillor after he resigned mid-term to start a new job overseas.

Cr Caron’s vacant seat will be added into the October election, with the successful candidate filling the role for two years instead of the usual four.

Other councillors whose terms have expired are Cr Rob Whooley, who represents the Town Ward, Cr Janine Phillips, who represents Kent/Nornalup Ward, and Crs Jan Phillips and Kingsley Gibson who both represent Scotsdale/Shadforth Ward.

Cr Gibson and Cr Lewis have confirmed they will be running for the council again this year.

New rules will require candidates to complete an online induction form before nominating, with applications to be submitted to the Shire of Denmark returning officer by prior arrangement from today.

Nominations will close on September 12 at 4pm.

Election day is October 19.

Councillor nominations must include information about the applicants, their policies and beliefs, be written in English and not be more than 150 words, excluding name and contact details. To be eligible to run for council, applicants must be at least 18 years old and live in the Shire of Denmark.