Commissioner appointed to Donnybrook-Balingup Shire following resignation of five councillors

One of the five councillors who made a shock exit from the Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Council this month has claimed a “hate-filled vendetta” from a community group drove him to the decision. The revelation comes as Local Government Minister John Carey announced on Wednesday he had appointed a Commissioner to replace the entire council. Mr Carey declared vacant the remaining four seats on the council, appointing former senior public sector leader Gail McGowan PSM as Commissioner. The small South West town was rocked when five councillors — including the shire president — resigned en masse in separate letters of resignation on December 1. The exodus left the shire without enough members to form a quorum, triggering a mandatory response under WA’s Local Government Act and forcing the cancellation of the shire’s last ordinary council meeting for 2022. Councillors Jacqueline Massey, Chaz Newman and Chris Smith each resigned after three years on the council, with shire president Leanne Wringe and councillor Shane Atherton quitting after serving five years. Speaking to the Times, Mr Atherton said sustained and targeted bullying of council members by a community group — which he chose not to name — both on social media and in-person at meetings had brought the situation to “breaking point”. He said he had resigned out of a desire for “protection”. “Protection of the organisation, and more so protection of the physical and mental health of former Shire president, Leanne Wringe, CEO Ben Rose and his staff, who have been the victim of the most spiteful ongoing character assassination by numerous members of a local community group using social media and during question time at monthly council meetings,” Mr Atherton said. “It was a hate-filled vendetta launched by people in the community who resent the current administration, and it had reached breaking point.” He said he was worried people would stop putting their hand up to serve the community. “I worry about the future of our Shire,” Mr Atherton said. “Good people now refuse to put their hand up to serve as councillors given the relentless attacks they’ve seen taking place in recent times.” According to the Local Government Act 1995, section 2.37, if more than half of the council seats are vacant for any reason, the Governor may dismiss the remaining councillors and appoint a person to be the commissioner until all seats of the council are filled again. “Ms McGowan is highly respected and a quality leader with a demonstrated history in leading government administration,” Mr Carey said. “As Commissioner, Ms McGowan will provide good governance and facilitate an effective working culture at the Shire.” Ms McGowan will remain in the role until the scheduled local government elections in October 2023.