Role reversal as Julia Meldrum and Paula Cristoffanini swap presidential Shire of Augusta-Margaret River jobs

Julia Meldrum and Cr Paula Cristoffanini have traded places, with Ms Meldrum now the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River president and Cr Cristoffanini her deputy. Ms Meldrum became the Shire’s first popularly elected president at last weekend’s local government election, coming in just ahead of colleague Kylie Kennaugh. Cr Cristoffanini — the third-placed candidate in Saturday’s poll — was unanimously voted deputy president by councillors on Wednesday morning. Also re-elected was Cr Kennaugh, the strongest performer in the council election, who fell just 94 votes or 2.13 per cent short of Ms Meldrum in her own bid for the presidency. Also elected at the weekend was Augusta business woman Nicki Jones, while Greg Boland — a lawyer, former three-term City of Cottesloe councillor and a former Greens WA candidate — will take Ms Meldrum’s council spot for a two-year term and be up for re-election in 2025. Unlike in past years, confirmation of the election results was not possible until Monday because of the introduction of the popular vote for the presidency as well as a preferential voting system that complicated the count. The election results will also push the Shire council deeper into concerns about climate change and the environment, with Cr Cristoffanini, Ms Meldrum and Cr Boland spruiking strong green credentials, while existing member Cr Tracey Muir has ties to Nature Conservation Margaret River Region. The presidential battle was a close affair, with Ms Meldrum scoring 38.83 per cent of the vote against Cr Kennaugh’s 36.7 per cent, with Cr Cristoffanini third on 24.46 per cent despite a strong social media campaign. Cr Cristoffanini came under fire during the election for community concerns relating to an alleged lack of council independence from the Shire itself. Cr Kennaugh’s strong presidential showing flowed through into her council vote, garnering the strongest support, determined by the WA Electoral Commission as 26.04 per cent of first-choice votes. Cr Jones was second on 19.65 per cent, followed by Cr Cristoffanini on 16.76 per cent. The final result meant local businesswoman and ex-Margaret River Chamber of Commerce president Melissa d’Ath failed to win through despite strong support from preferences, and former developer and part-time resident Reg Gillard also did not secure a seat. Mr Gillard faced a backlash from some residents, led by the Gracetown-Cowaramup Bay Community group, which disliked his involvement in State agency Development WA. Diane Fischer languished with just 2.59 per cent of backers. A 35.02 per cent voter turnout was one of the best in the State for non-compulsory local elections.