The Denmark Shire has a new president, after councillors in the southern Western Australian region voted this week.

Councillor David Morrell will been named president after receiving six of the nine votes in the ballot, defeating the only other nominee, Ceinwen Gearon.

Cr Kelly Gillies from the Kent Nornalup Ward will become the new deputy shire president.

Cr Morrell has been with the council for almost two decades, and says he will use his presidency to improve communications between the shire and its residents.

“I'm hoping that we have better open forums for a start, so people feel really listened to and that we can just adjust the culture in the shire office as well to be a little bit more open and a little bit more helpful in informing people,” he said.

“I think the council and to some extent the administration didn't explain themselves very well and so sections of the community felt decisions were being made without bringing the community along with them, without adequate consultation.”