On the weekend, the City of Mandurah went to the polls and just one councillor lost his seat.
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There is a strong argument that this is a vote of confidence in the Council and its direction.
The only casualty was Don Pember, who lost narrowly to newcomer Tahlia Jones.
Ms Jones ran on a platform of opposing the Dawesville caravan park and capping rate rises to the consumer price index and told the Mail this week she wanted a new balance between new infrastructure and costs borne by the ratepayers.
Presumably this means she will be opposing new spending initiatives.
While it will be interesting to see how these promises are delivered, it is encouraging new ideas are being injected into Council. Like any organisation, governments of all complexions risk stagnation without renewal.
However, as is often the way with local government elections, voter turnout for the ballot on the weekend was disappointing.
Little more than 27 per cent of those eligible to vote did so, which weakens any mandate claimed by any candidate.
While political renewal in our local governments is valuable, especially when accompanied by new ideas, councils would be better servants of the community if more people voted.
It is interesting to note that 4138 votes were cast in the election for Lord Mayor of Perth, whereas 7122 votes were cast in the city’s Coastal Ward for which Ms Jones was elected. The City of Mandurah is doing better on all fronts than its northern neighbours.
And Ms Jones certainly has her work cut out, especially when it comes time to vote on next year’s budget.
