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Election possibilities still undecided

Jaime ShurmerWeekend Kwinana Courier

Rockingham councillor and Baldivis local Matthew Whitfield said he wanted to be in the mix and was surprised the seat had been created earlier than he expected.

"In an absolute ideal world Id run as an independent," he said but conceded he would probably need to be aligned with a party.

Earlier this year, Mr Whitfield told the Courier he had "no goals towards politics" but this week said that since being a councillor, he had realised what could be done for the community and wanted to see what more he could help achieve.

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There was speculation Kwinana MLA Roger Cook might contest the proposed seat but on Wednesday he said he was proud to be the representative for Kwinana.

"I intend to seek ALP pre-selection and re-contest the seat at the next election," he said.

"We will have to see how the boundaries are finalised but there is no reason why I would not want to continue to be the representative for the current seat."

City of Kwinana Deputy Mayor Peter Feasey's term as councillor expires this year, and initially said it was "too early" to decide whether he would run for Baldivis but said he would probably rule himself out of the next State contest to focus on local government.

Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said she could not rule a Baldivis or Kwinana contest in or out at this stage. "When I ran the last two times, I wanted to represent the region," she said.

However, the proposed electoral boundary changes for Kwinana and Baldivis now include different parts of the region and continue north towards Cockburn.

Residents in Baldivis, Cooloongup, Waikiki, Leda, Wellard and Bertram are set to cast their vote in the new electorate.

Cr Adams felt it was an opportunity for the WA Electoral Commission to review electorate names to more accurately reflect the northern part of the Kwinana electorate in particular.

When asked if she would again run as an independent she said: "I think the way things are now you'd have to pick a team," a choice she admits will be difficult.

"I am an independent at heart at this point."

Former Greens candidate Dawn Jakes said she was not planning to contest the new seat at this stage.

Public comment on the proposed electoral boundary changes continues until August 24.

Once finalised, the boundary change will apply on the day of the next State election due in March 2017.