New faces join Shire of Ashburton local government election

Four new faces are among the nominees for the Shire of Ashburton local government election, including an arts educator, a Department of Communities worker and a community member. In the Tom Price ward, five residents are vying for three spots. Crs Matthew Lynch and Douglas Diver have thrown their hats in the ring for another term and are joined in the race by three new nominees. Cr Lynch has been a councillor for the past five years and advocated for a new daycare, emergency services hub and hospital, while Cr Driver was also re-elected in the 2017 election. Brie Healy, an arts educator who runs the From Dust Creative Arts small business, will challenge for one of the three spots. Joining her on the ballot is mother-of-three Tina Madenovic and Department of Communities worker Audra Smith. Paraburdoo’s Cr Doughlas Dias has put his hand up for re-election and will be challenged by Alana Sullivan. Cr Dias has lived in Paraburdoo since 1992, has served on the Shire council since 2013, is a volunteer with a variety of groups including the fire brigade, and is a snake-catcher and a Justice of the Peace. He will be going up against Ms Sullivan, who has lived in the region for 17 years, raised four children, and volunteers with community groups. Pannawonica’s Cr Melanie Gallanagh has been re-elected unopposed, having held a position on the council since 2015. The election will be held on October 16.