Community Update March 2018
Community Strategic Plan
The Shire of Mingenew will be reviewing the current Community Strategic Plan (“CSP”) in the 2017/18 financial year. The current CSP was compiled after community consultation was carried out in 2012 as part of the initial integrated planning framework process completed by local governments in the 2012/13 financial year. Community workshops will now commence in April 2018 and everyone is encouraged to attend and have your say in the future direction of the Shire of Mingenew.
Independent Living Units
The construction of the 2 new 2 bedroom/2 bathroom independent units on King Street has been completed and an official opening will be held in April 2018. Expressions of Interest have been received for the new accommodation and we anticipate that the new units will be occupied shortly after the opening has been held.
WANDRRA Declared Event
Works have been ongoing with the flood damage works since December, however works will now be put on hold to allow the Shire to complete our Main Roads funded projects on the Coalseam Road and Mingenew Mullewa Road.
As a result, the expressions of interest for contractors to assist with future flood damage works will be put on hold until the works commence again in May 2018. Assuming the flood damage works commence in May, expressions of interest will be called in April 2018.
Transfer Station
The Shire are in the process of implementing a transfer station at the front entrance to the existing landfill site, allowing a point for the public to drop off waste without the need for them to access the tip face. The construction of the transfer station will allow for better waste control and public safety at the existing landfill site and support better recycling and reduction of waste to landfill. An elevated concrete ramp for vehicle access will be constructed with the area to be fenced to ensure any future waste disposal is controlled by the Shire at the manned site. Other services such as DrumMuster, oil recycling, asbestos and sewerage disposal will all be located in the designated area. A strategy to rehabilitate the existing waste site will also be implemented by the Shire of Mingenew. Further updates will be provided as the project nears completion.
Little Well Reserve
The Shire were successful in receiving funding to undertake a historical and interpretative trails project located in the Little Well Reserve. The project aims to preserve the history of the Little Well Reserve for the previous residents and futures generations, as well as sharing these memories with tourists and residents of Mingenew. Some works have commenced on the project which is expected to be completed by the end of the 2017/18 financial year.
Mingenew Town Hall
Following an overwhelming response to our survey conducted in 2017, Council made provision in the 2017/18 budget to carry out some refurbishment works on the Town Hall. The Shire have been working very closely with Lotterywest in fine tuning an application was has now been submitted and will be assessed in the coming months. If successful, the funding will account for a significant portion of the works budgeted. The completion of the project is dependent on obtaining this funding and information will be relayed to the community as the Lotterywest progresses in the coming months.
Council have however made provision in the 2017/18 Budget to replace the roof on the Town Hall and these works will be completed in the coming weeks.
Footpaths & Kerbing
The Shire will be having some footpath and kerbing maintenance carried out in the week commencing Monday 19 March 2018. Please be mindful that if these works are carried out in close proximity to your residence that the concrete will take some time to cure.
24/7 Shire Contact
The Shire now has a designated number for people to call out of office hours. The number to call if you need to contact the Shire in the case of an emergency is 0419 647 661.
2018/19 Budget
Preparation for the 2018/19 Budget will commence in the coming months and submissions are invited from the community for consideration by Council. It is requested that any budget submissions are submitted in writing to the Shire by 31 May 2018.
On the Move
As many of you would know by now I have tendered my resignation with the Shire and will be finishing up on Friday 13 April 2018. Clearly, I’m not a superstitious person! It is with mixed emotions that we leave Mingenew and head to Busselton as we have all enjoyed our time in Mingenew. In particular, I have enjoyed working with the various community clubs and groups, many of which are volunteers who do an outstanding job for their respective organisations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank people of Mingenew for their support over the last 3 ½ years and wish both the Shire and the Mingenew community every success in the future.
CEO Recruitment Process
Council has engaged the services of Logo Appointments to assist with appointing a new CEO for the Shire. The position was advertised in February and closed on Wednesday 28 February 2018. Applicants have been shortlisted with interviews to be conducted the week commencing 19 March 2018.
Other Staff Movements
Unfortunately the Shire will also be losing our Finance Manager, as Durga will also be finishing up in April 2018 when Durga and his family will make the move to Sydney. I would like to thank Durga for his efforts at the Shire in the past 12 months. His finance knowledge and skills have been an asset to the Shire to I wish Durga and his family all the very best with their move.
Earlier in the new year Brady Brennan also left the Shire to take up a new opportunity in the agriculture industry. Brady was with the Shire for the best part of 10 years and made many valuable contributions during this period, many of which most of you would drive on every day! While the Shire loses 10 years of experience, the new career move is an exciting one for Brady and I wish him well for the future.
Traineeship
The Shire are currently advertising for people aged between 18-25 to apply for a traineeship at the Shire. The position will be part of our outside works team working in the Parks & Gardens and provides the opportunity to gain on the job training as well completing a Certificate IV in Work Health Safety. Interested persons can apply by submitting a current resume and cover letter to the CEO by 4pm on Friday 30 March 2018.