Status quo maintained

An inland Pilbara council has opted for maintaining the status quo by appointing the same president and deputy president for their third consecutive terms.

Onslow ward councillor Kerry White had the unanimous support of her fellow councillors as she again took on the Shire of Ashburton presidency with no challengers last Wednesday.

The deputy position was a showdown between two re-elected councillors, Linton Rumble from Paraburdoo and Tom Price’s Peter Foster.

Cr Rumble was voted in 6-3 to the deputy position. Tableland councillor Lorraine Thomas was also elected unopposed in the recent local government elections while Glen Dellar and Melanie Gallanagh took up the vacated seats of Ashburton and Pannawonica respectively.

Cr Gallanagh said she was excited for a new chapter in her life.

“I’ve been here (Pannawonica) for 10 years,” she said. “I look forward to being a driving force for the people of Pannawonica.”

Cr White welcomed the new blood.

“I am confident the new council will continue to work hard together to continue the great progress we are making,” she said. “The Shire of Ashburton, and its council, is enjoying a period of stability and from this our community will see excellent progress.”