Two new faces elected to Rockingham City Council

Rockingham City Council has a family feel to it after father and son, Richard and Justin Smith, were elected to council following Saturday’s local government election.

Justin Smith was elected as the Comet Bay ward representative after polling nearly 40 per cent of the vote.

Matthew Whitfield secured a four-year term on the council after receiving 1156 votes in Baldivis ward and Richard Smith will serve the two-year term for the ward after finishing with 1015 votes.

Barry Sammels was re-elected to council with more than a third of the 5383 votes cast for Rockingham ward.

In Safety Bay ward, Deb Hamblin polled 49.81 per cent of the vote to secure her third term on the council.

Justin Smith, who was Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce president for seven years between 2005 and 2012, said he was excited to represent his community.

“Serving the community is in the blood,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to making sure we’re not the forgotten part of town.”

Mr Whitfield said he was looking forward to working with Richard Smith and delivering results for the Baldivis community.

“I feel people are fed up with politics, but we need to reach out to people in the City of Rockingham, to identify with them, to listen more and to make the council more relevant, modern and accessible so that in the future more people will realise the importance of the council on their everyday lives,” he said.

“I am pleased that Councillor Smith was re-elected as his experience and knowledge will help us to do great things in Baldivis.”

Lorraine Dunkling missed out on a seat on the council after nominating in the Baldivis ward.

The elected councillors were sworn in at a special council meeting on Monday night.

They join sitting councillors Leigh Liley, Chris Elliott, Joy Stewart, Allan Hill and Ron Pease.

At the time of going to press, the council was to vote on the positions of mayor and deputy mayor.