Shire president Paula Cristoffanini confirms intentions to win seat by popular vote this October

Shire president Paula Cristoffanini is the first official entrant into this year’s race for the top job. Confirming exclusively to the Times this week, Cr Cristoffanini — who has overseen a turbulent period in her own life as well as the Shire’s during her two-year tenure — said she would seek popular election to continue the work already started. The first hint of those behind-the-scenes efforts were also made visible this week with the local government to undergo a corporate restructure to better focus its departments on areas criticised for shortcomings by residents during this year’s community satisfaction survey. “I would like to be part of continuing the work our council has started to ensure that our shire is served by an administration that is values-driven and community oriented,” she said. However, Cr Cristoffanini noted reforms to the local government sector would make this year’s election very different. She was nominating for one of three vacant council positions as well as the presidency itself, also to be determined by a direct popular vote for the first time under WA’s new optional preferential voting system. “I would be happy to serve our community in whichever capacity I were elected,” she told the Times. Cr Cristoffanini brings high-level public sector experience to the role, with a CV which includes work as the director of the Office of Multicultural Interests of WA. She moved to the region to work as an artist alongside husband Ian Williams who was a crucial contributor to dreams of a renewable energy project under the Augusta-Margaret River Clean Community Energy group. Sadly, Mr Williams died last year. Cr Cristoffanini said she and her husband had dreamt of their future in the region since buying the property in 2002. While her own life circumstances had changed, that was true for Augusta-Margaret River as a whole, too, with population pressures her renewed focus on council. She also wanted to tackle improving the ratepayer experience, highlighted so crucially in the independent survey earlier this year. She pointed to the turnaround in management of the Margaret River Heart/Nala Bardip Mia, funding for the Cape-to-Cape Track and the Six-Point Plan for the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park after the 2021 bushfires as key successes. Council intentions were increasingly tied to the chief executive’s “ambitious” key performance indicators which would inform the new restructured Shire, the president said. “I am an experienced community leader with a proven record of accountability, independent decision-making, strong financial skills, life experience and being community-focused,” she said. Cr Brian Daniel in June flagged a possible tilt at the presidency as well, but this week said he remained uncommitted. “It would be good for the community if we have folks nominating for council who can have a balance between wanting to preserve the environment together with being able to contribute effectively to the business side of the organisation,” he said. Nominations officially open on August 31 and close on September 7, with the election slated for October 21.