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Shire of Coolgardie Election: Voters Hold Councillors Accountable

Shire of Coolgardie president Mal Cullen announced more funding for the new Kambalda Pool on Friday thanks to a sizable donation from local mining company Gold Fields. Picture: Kelsey Reid

The Shire of Coolgardie is facing a pivotal moment as local government elections approach, with incumbent councillors under scrutiny for their handling of a significant financial crisis. As of Friday, the Western Australia Electoral Commission reported that 27.86 percent of eligible voters had submitted their ballots, a figure that surpasses the 24.97 percent turnout in the nearby City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Shire President Malcolm Cullen, who has been in office during a period that saw the shire’s debt climb to $30.49 million as of June 30, 2024, is seeking re-election. By June 30 of this year, that debt had been reduced to $27.5 million. Alongside Cullen, Councillor Rose Mitchell is also running for one of the two available seats, competing against candidates such as Gregory Keith, Catherine McInerney, and others.

The Shire’s financial troubles prompted Hannah Beazley, the Minister for Local Government, to issue a show-cause notice in August, demanding an explanation for why the council should not be suspended. Beazley visited the Goldfields town on Monday, announcing that she would not suspend the council but would grant them 12 months to rectify their financial issues. She described the shire’s financial situation as “unprecedented” in the history of Western Australia, warning that the debt-to-revenue ratio posed a serious risk of the council folding by the end of the 2024-25 financial year.

During a community meeting where Beazley faced some criticism regarding her decision not to suspend the council, she emphasized the importance of voter participation. “I’m certainly encouraging everybody in the community meeting, if they haven’t already voted, to vote and get their eligible friends and family to vote as well,” she stated. Beazley reminded residents that the authority to choose their council representatives ultimately lies with them, noting, “They are an autonomous level of government and the community has a role to play.”

In a related development, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is preparing for its own elections, which could introduce five new members to the council. Four incumbent councillors—Terrence Winner, Nardia Turner, Deborah Botica, and Carla Viskovich—are all seeking re-election. An additional seat has become available following the resignation of former councillor Linden Brownley earlier this year. Nine other candidates are also on the ballot, including David Fleming, Paul Hennessy, and Kim Eckert, among others.

As election day approaches, the outcomes in both the Shire of Coolgardie and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will significantly influence local governance and financial recovery efforts in the region. The community’s engagement in this electoral process may prove crucial in determining the future leadership and direction of these councils.

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