Three Geraldton councillors not in race for next election

The City of Greater Geraldton council will have new blood this year, with three councillors not standing for re-election.

Councillors David Caudwell, Sally Elphick and Steve Douglas have decided not to stand again when their terms expire in October.

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Cr Douglas said after eight years on the council it was a difficult decision not to run again but he was likely to relocate to Perth with his wife in the near future to be near family, including his 18-month-old granddaughter.

“It was a difficult decision. I really enjoyed my time on council ... I enjoyed the debate, I will miss it,” he said.

“I’m probably one of the more vocal and active members of council, my intent is to always clarify the issues and help to improve how we may respond.”

He said he felt his time serving on the council had come full circle, after he brought up the need for renewal of the suburb of Spalding at his first councillor concept forum in 2013.

This week the State Government pledged $10 million to “revitalise” what Cr Douglas said he, at the time, called a “forgotten suburb”.

Cr Caudwell released a statement on Facebook saying he also wouldn’t run this year after being elected to council eight years ago.

“I will be a little sad to end my time on council, but happy too that others can step up and take on the challenges into the future,” he wrote.

The burden of being an effective councillor is real, but the rewards of working for the JU community are great.

“We have achieved a lot over the last eight years, but there is still so much to be done.

“The burden of being an effective councillor is real, but the rewards of working for the community are great.”

Cr Elphick said the time had come for her “to do something different” after sitting on the council since 2017.

At last month’s ordinary council meeting Cr Elphick unsuccessfully moved to have non-essential vehicles banned from driving on Point Moore Beach due to concerns over coastal erosion.

Cr Natasha Colliver, Cr Jennifer Critch, Cr Jerry Clune and Cr Victor Tanti have decided to run again, with newcomers Steve Cooper, Michael Librizzi, Peter Michael Morton, Mal Kelly, Zain Laudehr, Eva Svanberg and Mike Reymond standing for election.

They are joined by Ron Bertelsen and Derek Goforth, who both unsuccessfully contested the 2019 election.

Mayor Shane Van Styn, Deputy Mayor Tarleah Thomas, Cr Peter Fiorenza, Cr Robert Hall, Cr Simon Keemink and Cr Kim “Butch” Parker are set to continue serving on the council until their terms expire in 2023.

Nominations for the October 16 biennial local government election closed yesterday afternoon.