Perth election results: Metro councils receive major shake up with eight new mayors taking the reins

Change has swept across WA’s local government sector after voters sent packing a trio of respected metropolitan mayors while electing at least eight first-timers to rule their councils. Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, Rockingham’s Deb Hamblin and Claremont stalwart Jock Barker were all defeated by people they once called council colleagues, while long-time Cockburn mayor Logan Howlett was yesterday awaiting a recount after just 1.4 per cent - or 370 votes - separated him from his nearest rival. In Joondalup, 32-year-old Daniel Kingston is set to become one of the State’s youngest ever mayors after he prevailed in the race to succeed one-time Liberal MP Albert Jacob, who stepped down after eight years in charge. The reins and chains have also been handed over from retiring mayors in Cottesloe, Mandurah and East Fremantle to Melissa Harkins, Amber Kearns and Tony Natale respectively. In the City of Perth, the man who temporarily replaced Basil Zempilas when the now Opposition Leader stood down as Lord Mayor earlier this year has won the top job in his own right. Bruce Reynolds - who held off challenges from sitting councillor Catherine Lezer and three other contenders - has outlined his ambitious goal to make Perth Australia’s safest capital, saying the city would continue to invest in better lighting, CCTV cameras and public spaces while supporting police and local businesses. The real promise is to continue progress with purpose ,keeping Perth moving forward while protecting what makes it special,” he said. “We all love our home, our State and our city, and I have the opportunity to live the dream of meaningful representation for our community.” Fremantle’s new mayor is Ben Lawver, a Fremantle councillor of four years who was born in America and wants more practical support for the creative arts, protection for heritage buildings and affordable housing. Rockingham’s Lorna Buchan has been a councillor for four years but is also is a forensic auditor at the office of the Auditor General of WA who has worked as an accountant. Peter Telford campaigned on bringing fresh leadership to Claremont after Mr Barker had hoped to extend his 16-year tenure. “From my perspective, that’s a real encouragement from the ratepayers of Claremont that they want change,” he said. “They want new mayoral leadership, and I’m delighted to be that person.” In WA’s north, Shire of Derby-West Kimberley electors were asked to choose an entire new council with all eight councillor positions and that of president vacant after a commissioner was appointed to the local authority earlier this year. A special council meeting was set to take place on Monday night to swear in the new incumbents, including Peter McCumstie who will again take up the position of shire president. Jeff Gooding has filled the commissioner role since April, appointed by Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley, after five council members resigned leaving the council without a quorum. The remaining four, including Mr McCumstie, had their positions declared vacant. Elections were not held last weekend in two other Commissioner-led councils that faced intervention from the Local Government Minister this year, the City of Nedlands and Town of Port Hedland.