THREE Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Council positions remained vacant at last week’s close of nominations for the upcoming local government elections so the shire will have to go to an extraordinary election.

Shire president Steve Dilley and Councillor Leith Crowley renominated for two of the five vacant positions, and will be elected unopposed.

Councillor Bruce Hearman is stepping down after 25 years on council.

Councillor Coral Stewart has also chosen to step down after four and a half years, saying that while she would have loved to stay on, she had family commitments.

Councillor Stewart said that she strongly encouraged women, particularly younger women, to stand for council.

The third position has remained vacant since a councillor stepped down early last year.

Cr Dilley said he was extremely disappointed to see only two nominations for the five positions.

“In 2005 there were nine candidates for five positions,” he said.

“I don’t know what’s changed,” he said.

“Perhaps it’s the different economic circumstances and potential amalgamations, which is unfortunate, as it’s not a given that it will happen, and councillors could be in a position to influence them.”

Cr Dilley said the council would now move to an 80 day statutory process, giving people who wanted to have a say in their community, the amalgamations and other issues a second chance to run for council.

“It’s ironic that during public consultations, outlying communities said that they wanted more representation,” Cr Dilley said..

“If three Balingup residents had come into the shire last Thursday to nominate, they would’ve been elected unopposed.”

The other conclusion was that people must be reasonably happy with the way the council was being run, Cr Dilley said.

“Residents and ratepayers will have a second opportunity before Christmas,” he said. “Between now and then is their chance to decide if they want to make a positive difference.”