Council Elections

Local government ordinary elections are held on the third Saturday in October every two years.

Elected Members are elected for terms of four years in Western Australia. Elections are held every two years for half of the council, and candidates are elected using the first-past-the-post voting system. If a vacancy occurs within a term, an extraordinary election is held. See the Elected Members page for current terms.

Councillors represent the interests of the ratepayers and residents of the district and provide leadership and guidance to the community. They facilitate communication between the community and Shire, and participate in the Shire’s decision making process.

Information is also available on the WAEC website.

Community members interested in knowing more about the role of an elected member are welcome to attend a Council meeting.  

Prospective candidates are required to complete an induction, click here for further information.  You can view a Candidate Webinar here and view the Presentation Slides here.

To nominate for the  2023 Local Government Elections, contact Returning Officer Lorraine Carter on 0486 048 978 or via email. 

So you want to be a Councillor?

The Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries has provided seven fact sheets that you should read.  They can be found under section 1. 

Local Government Elections will this year be held on Saturday 21 October.  A number of councillor roles will become available at the Shire of West Arthur and community members are encouraged to consider nominating for Council.

Councillors have a number of primary roles:

  • Providing leadership and guidance to the community
  • Facilitating communication between the community and the council
  • Determining and reviewing policy
  • Managing assets
  • Governing finances

To stand for election as a councillor, or a mayor or president elected by the people of a local government district, you must:

You are not eligible to nominate for council if you:

  • are a member of State or Federal Parliament;
  • are an insolvent under administration;
  • are serving a prison sentence for a crime;
  • have been convicted of a serious local government offence within the last five years, (unless the court has waived the disqualification);
  • have been convicted on indictment of an offence for which the penalty was or included imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for more than five years;
  • are a member of another council;
  • are subject to a court order disqualifying you from being a council member because you have misapplied local government funds or property;
  • are on the local electoral roll as the nominee of a body corporate;
  • propose standing for two positions on council (unless you are standing for mayor or president as well as councillor); or
  • are currently disqualified by the State Administrative Tribunal from holding office as a member of a council.

    If you would like to know more, please contact one of our existing councillors or the CEO.

    Code of Conduct for Council Members, Committee Members and Candidates 

    2023 Election

    The 2023 Election was due to be held Saturday 21 October 2023, but because 4 nominations were received for the 4 vacant positions, no election is required. These are the results:

    Candidate Votes Candidate Profile
    MORRELL Neil Elected Unopposed N Morrell 
    HALL Lucy Elected Unopposed L Hall
    PEIRCE Graeme Elected Unopposed G Peirce
    SQUIRES Adam Elected Unopposed A Squires

    Therefore the following people are elected as councillors for the District of the Shire of West Arthur.  Each Councillor will hold office until the date set out next to his/her name:

    Name Expiry of Term
    MORRELL Neil 16 October 2027
    HALL Lucy 16 October 2027
    PEIRCE Graeme 16 October 2027
    SQUIRES Adam 18 October 2025