Exmouth and Karratha boast strong voter turnout in the North West

The Shire of Exmouth has recorded one of the highest voter turnouts in the State during the local government elections earlier this month, recording a just under 48 per cent voter turnout.

Meanwhile, the City of Karratha also had one of the higher turnouts among local governments in the North West, recording a 23.29 per cent voter turnout. Disappointingly, however, the count was still below the State total of 29.7 per cent.

It comes after Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley earlier this year floated compulsory voting for local elections if voter turnout didn’t improve.

Now with overall participation across the State dipping to 29.7 per cent, slightly down from 31.2 per cent in 2023, Ms Beazley this week told the Pilbara News reforms were on the cards.

“The low voter turnout for the 2025 local government elections is disappointing,” she said.

“It is particularly concerning that the overall participation rate was below 30 per cent, indicating a level of voter fatigue and disengagement.

“It’s clear that the local government sector needs to be reinvigorated, and I am currently considering if any additional reforms are required following the 2025 local government elections.

“I have been socialising potential reforms that could assist in increasing voter turnout and engagement for this important level of government, including four-year election cycles and compulsory voting.”

Meanwhile the Shire of Ashburton recorded a voter turnout of 31.14 per cent with a 33.13 per cent turnout in the Paraburdoo Ward and 26.63 per cent turnout in the Tom Price Ward.

New Ashburton councillors Tom Fox, Alana Sullivan, Clay Rogers, Brie Healy and Kieren Day sworn in on October 20.

In Exmouth councillors Amanda Kalis, Jacqueline Hine, Jackie Brooks, Matthew Scott Thorburn and Gary Mounsey were officially sworn in on October 20.

And in Karratha, councillors Jodie Swaffer, Geoff Harris and Gillan Furlong were officially sworn in on October 21, while Daiva Gillam and Martin Byrne were sworn in on October 27.

City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott said he was pleased to welcome new members to the council.

“It’s great to have new faces on board our council and I would like to welcome our new council members to the team, and I look forward to working with them,” Cr Scott said.

“We’ve got a strong team who care deeply about this community. I’m looking forward to working together to keep Karratha moving forward and make it an even better place to live.

“I would also like to thank outgoing councillors, Kelly Nunn and Joanne Waterstrom-Muller, who decided not to stand for re-election.

“Both Kelly and Joanne were elected in 2017 and have made a valuable contribution to the council, the city and the wider community during their time in office.”