Shire of Lake Grace set for extraordinary election after councillor Shane Carruthers resigns from position

Shire of Lake Grace ratepayers could be heading back to the polls after the resignation of a local councillor. An extraordinary local government election is planned for August 19 after the resignation of Shane Carruthers at April’s council meeting. In the minutes for the meeting, it was noted Mr Carruthers was resigning due to work commitments. He thanked fellow councillors and the shire administration for their support during his more than 18 months on the council. Lake Grace president Len Armstrong said the council wished Mr Carruthers all the best with his future endeavours. “Shane is very involved in the community,” he said. “He is the president of the local football club and he is very in touch with what the community might think on council matters. “He was a very community-oriented councillor.” Mr Carruthers was elected at an extraordinary council election in September 2020, filling one of two vacant positions along with Benjamin Hyde, who remains on the council. He was re-elected last year for another term, which was set to finish in October 2023. Lake Grace councillors voted to trigger an extraordinary local government election to fill the position at their meeting on May 25. The WA Electoral Commission will conduct the vote by post, with a quote showing the election is expected to cost the council about $10,000. Mr Armstrong noted councillor resignations were not an unusual occurrence. “You can have people leave for medical reasons or due to business or other pressures,” he said. Mr Armstrong said the position might not need to go to a vote depending on the number of people who nominate for the vacant position. “The ideal situation is that we get one nomination and then we don’t have to go to a vote,” he said. “Counteracting that is if we get two or three nominations, ratepayers are getting a say in who represents them.” Those seeking to vote in the election will have until June 30 to ensure they are enrolled at their current address. Nominations will be open from July 6 to 13, with voting packages sent out from July 21.