Donnybrook-Balingup looks to get back on track after after election

Nine new councillors have been elected in the reformed Donnybrook-Balingup shire, bringing an end to the council operating under administration. In total 17 candidates contested the election on Saturday with all seats vacant after the council was dissolved in 2022 following the resignation of five councillors, leaving it with less than half the seats occupied and unable to function. Anita Lindeman was able to garner the most votes, getting 272 or 14.6 per cent. Getting the second most votes with 14.13 per cent was Lisa Glover who is returning to the council after sitting in the previous council before it was dissolved. The final candidate to clock more than 10 per cent of the votes was Alexis Davy who will be joining the council for the first time. John Bailey and Grant Patrick also managed to secure the remaining four-year terms and will be on the council until 2027. The remaining four councillors, including incumbent councillor Peter Gubler will serve a two-year term until 2025. Rounding out the successful candidates were Anne Mitchell, Deanna Shand and Vivienne MacCarthy, who scraped in by just six votes. The council will hold its first council meeting on Thursday when a new Shire president will be elected.