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 optional preferential voting system. This means you can choose to number the candidates in the order of your preference. You do not have to number all the boxes if you don't want to. 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 district's ratepayers and residents and provide leadership and guidance to the community. They facilitate communication between the community and the 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.

So you want to be a Councillor?

The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety has provided seven fact sheets that you should read.  They can be found at Candidate Information. 

Local Government Elections will this year be held on Saturday 18 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:

  • be 18 years of age or older;
  • be an elector of the district (if you are only an elector because you are a nominee of a body corporate then you are not eligible to stand for council);
  • (if a current council member) have a term that ends on election day, unless you are standing for mayor or president directly elected by the public;
  • have completed the mandatory induction course on the DLIRS website.

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 

    2025 election

    The 2025 Election was due to be held Saturday, 18 October 2025, but because 4 nominations were received for the 4 vacant positions, no election was required.  You can view the formal document here. 

    Candidate
    Votes
    Candidate Profile
    SOUTH Duncan Elected Unopposed D South
    HARRINGTON Karen Elected Unopposed K Harrington
    O'NEILL Natalie Elected Unopposed N O'Neill
    LUBCKE Helen Elected Unopposed H Lubcke


    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
    PROWSE Russell 16 October 2027
    PEIRCE Graeme 16 October 2027
    HARRINGTON Karen 20 October 2029
    LUBCKE Helen 20 October 2029
    O'NEILL Natalie 20 October 2029
    SOUTH Duncan 20 October 2029