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Under the Local Government Act 1995, Commissioners can be appointed to fulfil the role of the council and exercise its powers if more than half of the council becomes vacant.

Following the resignation of the Mayor on 25 August 2025 and the previous resignations of four councillors since October 2024, more than half of the offices of members of the council are vacant.

The remaining four offices of members of the council have been declared vacant by the Governor with effect from 3 September 2025.

The three Commissioners will replace the council of the Town of Port Hedland until an election is held on 28 March 2026, and the new council has held its first meeting.

The three Commissioners appointed are:

• Jessica Shaw (Chair) who is a former Member of Parliament (2017-2025) for Swan Hills, having served as Parliamentary Secretary and Chair of the Economics and Industry Standing Committee. She has worked across mining, energy, industrial and infrastructure sectors, including senior roles in the Pilbara, and has more than 20 years' experience working in the government and private sectors;
• Martin Aldridge (Deputy Chair) who is a former Member of the Legislative Council (2013-2025) who served as the Shadow Local Government Minister and was a member of the Select Committee into Local Government. He has more than 20 years' experience in leadership roles in both the government and private sectors; and
• Ron Yuryevich AM who served on the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder council (1988-2015) and was Mayor for more than 19 years during that time. He served on numerous regional committees and had leadership roles in several local government and community associations over many years.

The priority for the Commissioners will be to adopt the council's budget for the 2025-26 financial year and provide good governance for the benefit of the local community.

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