Extraordinary election called to fill Manjimup council vacancy

Manjimup residents will head to the polls this September to elect a new rural ward councillor.

The Shire of Manijmup resolved to hold an extraordinary election to fill the vacant position of former rural ward councillor Brayden Daniele, who resigned in May due to family reasons.

At a special meeting on July 6, the council unanimously agreed to hold the extraordinary election on September 24, with the Western Australian Electoral Commission to conduct the postal vote.

The motion was carried 7-0.

Council officers recommended appointing the WA electoral commissioner to oversee the election and said a postal voting model would improve accessibility for the geographically dispersed rural ward electorate, whilst allowing the poll to be delivered as part of the WAEC’s co-ordinated election program.

This would reduce costs and ensure independent administration.

The report estimates the election will cost about $29,000, with funding to come from unspent election funds carried forward and the 2026-27 election budget.

In a shire update video, shire president Donelle Buegge encouraged eligible residents to consider nominating, describing serving on the council as “an absolute honour”.

“The position will be just for the remainder of that term, which will be until October next year, then the complete election will take place,” she said.

“We encourage anyone from the rural ward to apply for that one-year position.”

The rural ward includes all areas of the shire outside the Manjimup town site, including Pemberton, Walpole, Quinninup and the Donnelly River area.