Local Government Minister David Templeman has appointed a commissioner to administer the council of the Shire of Perenjori following the resignation of more than half the councillors, resulting in the need to declare the remaining positions vacant.
The Hon Paul Omodei will serve as commissioner until a new council is in place following an election to be held on May 30, 2020.
Mr Omodei is a former Minister for Local Government and former leader of the Liberal Party who represented the seat of Warren-Blackwood for many years.
Mr Omodei also served as the Commissioner of the Shire of Cue in 2011-12.
The Shire of Perenjori is located 350 kilometres north of Perth, in the northern agricultural region, just south-east of Morawa.
In May, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries issued the council with a Show Cause Notice under the Local Government Act 1995, with a response required by June 21, 2019.
On June 17, five of the nine councillors resigned their positions, leaving the council without a quorum.
As stated by Local Government Minister David Templeman:
“It is disappointing when the level of dysfunction within a Council requires intervention by the Minister.
“Appointing the commissioner to the Shire of Perenjori until an election can be held in May 2020 will provide an appropriate amount of time to properly stabilise the operations of the Shire and to provide good government to the people of the Shire.”
