Published on Monday, 4 May 2026 at 5:43:44 PM
Media Release
The Shire of Carnarvon advises the community that between late last week, over the weekend, and today, six elected members of Council, including the Shire President, tendered their resignations from Council.
These resignations have occurred within a short period of time and have resulted in the Council no longer having the minimum number of elected members required to form a quorum.
This means the Council is currently unable to hold valid Council meetings or make decisions that require a formal resolution of Council.
The Shire understands that this is a significant and unusual situation, and that the community will have questions about what has occurred and what happens next.
The immediate circumstances are as follows:
- six elected members have resigned;
- those resignations include the resignation of the Shire President;
- the number of remaining elected members is now below the minimum required for a Council quorum;
- Council decision-making is therefore unable to proceed at this time; and
- the Shire has formally notified the Minister for Local Government and the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety.
There are legislative pathways under the Local Government Act 1995 (WA) for circumstances where a Council is unable to form a quorum. The Shire is now working with the Department to confirm the appropriate process and next steps.
While Council decision-making is temporarily affected, the Shire remains operational.
All essential services, day-to-day operations, customer service, works, community services, events and projects and administrative functions will continue under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer and Shire staff, in accordance with existing delegations, adopted budgets, policies and statutory responsibilities.
Matters that require a formal Council decision will be managed in accordance with advice from the Minister and the Department.
The Shire will not be commenting on the individual reasons for elected member resignations at this time. The priority is to ensure continuity of services, protect the integrity of the legislative process, and provide clear and timely information to the community.
Further updates will be provided as soon as additional information is available.
The Shire thanks the community for its patience and understanding while this matter is progressed.
Issued by:
Mandy Dexter
Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Carnarvon
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Amanda Dexter
Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Carnarvon
3 Francis St, Carnarvon WA 6701
Phone: 08 9941 0000 I Email: dexter.a@carnarvon.wa.gov.au
Giana Covella
Strategic Communication and Economic Development Manager
Phone: 0404 406 515 | Email: media@carnarvon.wa.gov.au
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