Earl eyes fourth term as McLeod set to retire

Shire president Ian Earl has confirmed he will stand again for a fourth term — and probably contest the presidency — but his deputy Pauline McLeod will step down. Shire of Augusta-Margaret River Cr McLeod will retire at the end of her first term, while the other two positions open for election are held by former Shire president Cr Julia Meldrum, and first-term councillor Naomi Godden. Cr Meldrum said she would definitely seek re-election, while Cr Godden, who is the first councillor who also served on the Youth Advisory Council back in high school, said she was weighing her options and not yet ready to declare. Cr Earl told the Times he felt greatly rewarded by his 12 years service on the Shire council, and while the elected member group was enjoying stability, there was a lot of work still to be done. “There is still plenty to do on council and the past year with COVID has been very rewarding, not that it didn’t have its challenges,” he said. Cr Earl said the first 12 months of the pandemic were “the most intense time” he had spent on the council in his 12 years. The COVID-19 relief fund was a proud achievement, he said. “There would be those who said we went too hard, too soon, but we didn’t know what we were facing,” Cr Earl said. “We were staring down the barrel of a big unknown.” Cr McLeod said she was satisfied with her achievements during the past four years. “Four years committed service has been a good length of time to me to feel as if I have given it my best shot,” she said. “I encourage others to put their hand up. “You won’t achieve all the outcomes you had hoped for, but you will get the opportunity to learn so much more about our community. “We will help build a more innovative, resilient and flourishing society in our shire if we elect independent-minded councillors who are prepared to listen. “There is much to be done.” Cr Meldrum said she would run again to continue her work protecting the local environment, supporting ratepayers during hardship, and ensuring fairness in council decision making. Four positions in total will be up for grabs in the October 16 local election. Three residents attended an information session at the Shire offices last week, with more community members understood to be considering a tilt at council. Nominations for the election close on Thursday.