Shire Watch Independents

Shire Watch was founded by a group of six residents ahead of the 1999 local government elections.^[6] At the election on 11 September, the party won four seats, which was enough to defeat the incumbent Liberal Party majority and form an alliance with Labor.^[7] Shire Watch councillor Tracie Sonda served as mayor from 2000 until 2002.^[8]

In 2004, the Liberal Party won seven seats while Shire Watch won four.^[3]

At the 2008 election, the Liberal Party did not formally endorse candidates. Four Independent Liberals were elected, however the Shire Watch−Labor alliance won a majority, with five candidates from Shire Watch and three from Labor elected.^[3] Shire Watch councillor Lorraine Kelly was elected by councillors as mayor following the elections, and remained in the role until 2010.^[8]

In 2011, the Shire Watch−Labor alliance broke down after Shire Watch councillor Carol Provan left the party and allied with the Independent Liberals, who assisted in electing her mayor.^[3]

At the 2012 election, Shire Watch lost four of its seats, and Peter Towell was the only member of the party re-elected.^[3][9]

On 10 August 2016, Towell announced he would contest the 2016 election as an independent candidate, thus dissolving Shire Watch.^[10]