Local Government Minister: Commissioner ‘most likely’ option for troubled Port Hedland council

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley has shot down the suggestion of the Port Hedland Council operating on a reduced quorum, saying the appointment of a commissioner is the “most likely outcome” following the mayor’s resignation.

In response to questions from the North West Telegraph on Thursday, Ms Beazley said she was investigating installing a commissioner at the troubled council, and a reduced quorum should only be granted in “extenuating circumstances”.

“The appointment of a commissioner or commissioners is the most likely outcome to address the issues at the Town of Port Hedland. I am currently going through the necessary process to investigate this option,” she said.

“In the case of the Town of Port Hedland council, the lack of quorum has arisen because the majority of its elected members have voluntarily resigned.

“While the Local Government Act allows for councils to operate with reduced quorums, this provision should only be used when a lack of quorum arises due to extenuating circumstances, such as councillors being unable to fulfil their duties during floods or bushfires.”

Deputy mayor Ash Christensen and Crs Adrian McRae and Camilo Blanco have called on the minister to reduce the required quorum so the council can pass the budget and go into caretaker mode ahead of local elections next month.

Cr McRae started a petition for the cause on August 26, with the bid receiving 1110 signatures as of September 1.

“This action would pave the way for the crucial budget to be passed, enabling Port Hedland to plan and allocate resources effectively for the year ‘25-’26,” Cr McRae said in the petition description on Change.org.

The move was sparked after mayor Peter Carter announced his resignation on August 25, following years of dysfunction at the local government authority, leaving the council without the minimum quorum of five members.

Meanwhile, former Port Hedland mayor Kelly Howlett has put her hand up to become the town’s commissioner if such action is taken.

Ms Howlett resigned as mayor in 2016 after nearly 13 years of association with the town, first as a gardener, as a councillor from 2007, and as mayor from 2009.

Speaking to the North West Telegraph on August 27, Ms Howlett said she had been lobbying the State Government for months to install a commissioner.

“I have held grave concerns about the state of elected representation in Port Hedland for some time,” she said.

“In May 2025, I met face-to-face with several State members of Parliament to share those concerns in person and to propose an alternative model — one designed to restore good governance and rebuild trust in the town of Port Hedland.

“I strongly believe that a government-appointed administration . . . could help reset the governance framework and restore community confidence in the town of Port Hedland.”

Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson also said he would like to see the council put under administration “for as long as possible”.

“I certainly think the commissioner should be in there for as long as possible . . . certainly, my preference is for a longer period of time,” he said.

Mr Dawson said the proper functioning of the council was essential for the State Government to be able to carry out its election commitments.

“We’ve got a range of election commitments for the town of Port Hedland, and having a dysfunctional council that hasn’t decided on their budget for the next year really does make it difficult for us,” he said.

“We need to have a good relationship with local governments right across the State, and so hopefully, with the commissioner starting at the town, that will make it easier for us to deliver for local residents.”

Some of the remaining councillors, however, have continued to push for a reduced quorum online, with Crs McRae and Blanco appearing on a fringe political podcast, which often focuses on the fractious COVID-19 vaccine debate.

The two councillors alleged the mayor’s resignation was part of a State Government conspiracy to dissolve the council because of its opposition to vaccine mandates and WA Labor’s agenda.

“Getting rid of (Cr Blanco) and myself is the scheme of this whole thing,” Cr McRae said.

“I’ve been saying this for well over 12 months, that I believe there is an active plan to suspend this council . . . because . . . our political views don’t align with the State Government, the Labor Party,” Cr Blanco said.

Cr Blanco also alleged it was a “calculated plan” to get rid of the council in videos on social media last week.