Two councillors elected to Shire of Jerramungup unopposed, extraordinary election needed to fill third seat

The Shire of Jerramungup failed to fill its three open seats at the recent local government election, with two candidates elected unopposed but one seat still open.

Voters were saved a trip to the polls as only two candidate nominations were received for three spots on council, but the shire will hold an extraordinary election in March next year to fill the third seat.

Incumbent councillor Neil Foreman nominated to keep his seat on council, and was elected without competition for another term.

Newcomer Naomi Hall, who has lived in the shire for 20 years and runs a mixed farming operation with her husband and two children, was also elected unopposed.

Both will serve until October 20, 2029, joining incumbents Paul Barrett, Raegan Zacher, Nathan Brown, and Gavin Mair, all of whom are serving until 2027.

Jerramungup was one of 10 shires in WA to field insufficient candidates, according to the WA Electoral Commission, with Gnowangerup also needing to ask for a special election after only three candidates nominated for four positions.

New councillors will be sworn in and the council will elect a president and deputy president at the October 29 ordinary council meeting.