Two new councillors join Shire of Wandering, incumbent welcomed back with most first preference votes

The Shire of Wandering welcomed back a returning member and two new faces to its council table at the recent local government election in which more than half of the electorate voted.

Five candidates nominated for the poll, vying for three seats on the council.

Returning member Gillian Hansen was elected first with 80 first-preference votes, securing her seat for a second term.

Councillors Max Watts and Ian Turton both completed their terms as councillors this year and neither campaigned to retain their seat, making way for two new names.

Andrew Thompson and Peter Latham were elected second and third on 64 and 39 first-preference votes, respectively, filling the last two open seats.

In total, 205 votes were counted representing 51.25 per cent of the shire’s 400 eligible electors having a say in their governing body.

Shire president Cheryl Little, and deputy president Alan Price will both return to the council alongside councillors Robert Cowan and Dennis Jennings.

All four remaining councillors’ terms will expire in 2027, with the three newly elected councillors serving until October 20, 2029.