WA council collapses after mediation fails

A commissioner has been appointed to a regional shire in WA's far north after five councillors quit following complaints about bullying and other governance problems.

The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley was ordered to undergo mediation in May, when then-local government minister Tony Simpson noted a high level of complaints about problems, including ongoing conflicts between councillors, harassment of staff and failing to declare interests.

But the mediator declared the situation untenable last month and the council was warned it would be suspended.

Paul Miles, who took over Mr Simpson's job following his sudden resignation earlier this month, appointed former Kalgoorlie-Boulder mayor Ron Yuryevich as commissioner on Wednesday.

The next shire elections are in October 2017.