SIX people have nominated for seats on the Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Council’s extraordinary election, to be held on December 17.

When council elections were held across the state last month, five vacancies attracted only two nominations —both from existing councillors.

The three remaining vacancies forced the council to go to an extraordinary election. Shire president Steve Dilley said there had possibly been a bit of complacency when nominations were first called.

But the number of people who had now put up their hands for a seat at the council table was great.

“Perhaps there was a lack of awareness before, but now the extraordinary election has got everyone’s interest,” he said.

“We’ve got six people from all different walks of life, we’ll just have to wait and see what pans out.”

Existing council members were looking forward to working with whoever the three elected councillors would be, Cr Dilley said.

Nominations have been received from Brian Piesse, Kevin Moir, Anne Mitchell, Angelo Logiudice, Don Cooper and John Bailey.

The nominees come from an area stretching over Donnybrook, Balingup and Wilga.

Issues of interest to the nominees include shire amalgamations, youth and sport, health and aged care, representation of outer areas and open and accountable government.

The election will be postal, with voting papers posted out in the week commencing November 23.

Election day will be Thursday, December 17, with the polling place open on December 17.

Voting papers should be returned by post, although anybody who runs into difficulties can lodge them at the shire office on polling day.

The count will start at 6pm on that day and be carried out in Donnybrook.