KALAMUNDA’S local council election results have been declared with returning councillors and a new face joining councillor Kathy Ritchie in representing North Ward.

Newly elected North Ward councillor Josh Clark will be joining incumbent Cr Ritchie to represent the suburbs of Kalamunda, Gooseberry Hill and Maida Vale.

According to the Western Australian Electoral Commision (WAEC), the North West Ward will be represented by councillors Sue Bilich and Lisa Cooper.

South East Ward will continue with its incumbent councillor David Modolo while the South West Ward similarly has voted councillor Mary Cannon back in office.

Councillors were sworn in at the special council meeting held on October 21.

The newly elected Cr Clark said in his candidate details that he was a third-generation Kalamunda resident who wanted to prioritise community safety, cutting red tape, financial responsibility, sensible development, protecting the area’s identity and revitalising Haynes Street and the Kalamunda Water Park.

Cr Clark is also a physiotherapist and the owner of the Barnes & Co physiotherapy and wellness clinic in Kalamunda’s central mall.

Cr Bilich is a returning councillor and a former mayor of Kalamunda whose candidate details said her key focuses were improving the FOGO bin system, community safety, youth services, lack of maintenance and poor public consultation.

“(I want to) ensure future planning/infrastructure is aligned to suit the needs of our seniors, families and our youth, our sporting/community groups and our natural environment whilst keeping costs down and rates low,” she said.

Cr Cooper ran on a platform of improving the natural environment and upgrading public spaces to be safer and more accessible.

Councillors Bilich, Cooper and Cannon have cited the FOGO bin system as an issue they would provide a key focus on in their candidate details.

Though Cr Modolo had not included details about further FOGO action in his candidate details, it is a council issue he has motioned for review citing difficulties encountered by young families dealing with nappies and other high volumes of general waste as reported in Kalamunda FOGO review motion carried.

According to the City of Kalamunda website, residents within the City of Kalamunda, generated about 480kg of waste per annum per resident with only 22 per cent diverted away from landfill.

Meanwhile, in the City of Swan, election results have seen a number of new and returning faces to represent the community.

The Altone Ward, saw incumbent councillor Jennifer Catalano successfully re-elected alongside two new faces, Shaynon Dean and Nav Kaur.

Ms Catalano continues to focus on financial accountability, opposing unnecessary council spending and rate increases.

Mr Dean, running successfully after a previous attempt in 2023, campaigned on investing in local schools, parks, and families, promising to cut through red tape and deliver results.

Ms Kaur is hoping to bring her experience in civil services to protect green spaces and responsible urban planning. She also hopes to advocate for council rate relief and strong fiscal oversight in her new position.

In the Midland/Guildford Ward, incumbent Sarah Howlett was re-elected.

Ms Howlett, whose previous focus was on local traffic, drainage, and community safety, now hopes to champion issues affecting residents such as urban canopy and verge maintenance.

The Pearce Ward re-elected councillor Aaron Bowman, who is joined by a new councillor Maria Toquero.

Mr Bowman achievements include the FOGO rollout, and more parking at the Ellenbrook district open space, is hoping to focus his current election on finding a permanent home for Ellenbrook’s RSL branch, and more netball courts.

Ms Toquero is hoping to improve street lighting in Bullsbrook, including more CCTV and lighting in public parks, as well as increasing parking options at Ellenbrook Central.

The Swan Valley/Gidgegannup Ward re-elected councillor and former mayor Charlie Zannino who was also voted deputy    mayor on Wednesday night.His achievements include upgrades to the Baskerville Pavilion, as well as improving local roads.

His focus now is preventing over-development of The Vines area, and stopping unfair rural unimproved value (UV) ratings.

Finally, the Whiteman Ward saw the return of former deputy mayor Mel Congerton.

His previous achievements include establishing the intergenerational playground, and skate park; and upgrading and enhancing green spaces all over the city.

In his next four year run as councillor Mr Congerton is hoping to increase the $400,000 allocated to the Whiteman area to ensure the community receives the attention and resources it needs.

And in the Shire of Mundaring, councillors Luke Ellery and Ben Heptinstall elected unopposed to represent the South Ward.

Toni Strutt and David Grills were elected for four-year terms in the Mundaring Central Ward and East Ward respectively and in West Ward, Jo Cicchini was elected for a four-year term and Matt Woods for a two-year term.

The newly elected councillors were sworn in at a special council meeting on Tuesday.

In the Town of Bassendean, four councillor positions were contested, with Kath Hamilton, Hayden Long, Jennie Carter and Paul Poliwka confirmed as councillors elect.

Meanwhile in the Shire of York, former Shire president Kevin Trent was re-elected, along with Melissa Welsh and Elaine Ashford for four-year terms, while Monique Hutchinson was elected for a two-year term.

At a special council meeting Chris Gibbs was elected Shire President and former Shire President Denese Smythe as deputy Shire President.

In the Shire of Chittering David Dewar, Nicholas Grayer and Rebecca Foulkes-Taylor were elected, with a swearing in ceremony held this week in council chambers.

In the Shire of Northam, East Ward will be represented by Michael Ryan and Des Hughes, while Lisa Biglin and John Attila were elected unopposed for their respective roles in the West and Central Wards.