Council Update June 2020
Message from the Shire President
The ongoing rain is encouraging for our growing and wildflower season (although we could’ve done without all that wind!) Hopefully everyone is getting their share.
As we head into the end of financial year, Council is giving consideration to its annual budget. We are fortunate to have received grant funding for a range of projects in the new financial year, and I am looking forward to seeing those delivered. We also remain hopeful that future State and Federal funding announcements continue to provide support to local governments in regional WA as the wider economy looks to open back up post-COVID.
I am also encouraged to see that COVID restrictions are continuing to lift, albeit with some delays, and life is returning to something closer to normal; there will be a winter sport season starting in July, this year’s Polocrosse event is going ahead, the pub is open again and the caravans are starting to find their way to our town as people venture back out. Again, we hope that our local businesses enjoy a busy season to offset the challenging period of the last few months; please don’t forget to get out and support them.
– Cr Gary Cosgrove, Shire President
Roads
We are preparing for our FY20-21 works program, which will be finalised as part of Council’s budget deliberations. Currently we are engaged in ongoing resheeting and maintenance works around Enokurra Road, as our maintenance grader heads north from Yandanooka.
COVID-19
As restrictions continue to ease, Shire facilities are continuing to open up in support of the growing range of permitted activities.
- All playgrounds and the skate park are now open
- We have developed COVID Safety Plans for the Rec Centre, Turf Bar, Autumn Centre and other public buildings; we ask that clubs and organisations contact the Shire to book and confirm use of any of these facilities so that we can ensure our cleaning regime is being kept up
- From 27 June all restrictions on gathering size will be lifted, but the 2sqm per person rule will remain in place
For further details on Council’s response to the COVID-19 situation, please check our website.
Ward and Representation Review
Council is embarking on consultation around a review of its ward system. It is a process we are required to carry out at least every 8 years, and we want to hear from you. You can download the discussion paper from the Shire website or pick a copy up from the Shire Office.
Our discussion paper examines three potential options:
- Adjust ward boundaries to capture more of the townsite in the Town Ward
- Remove the wards altogether
- Make no changes
You can make your submissions to us in writing, or by email to governance@mingenew.wa.gov.au. Submissions are due by 10 August 2020.
Community Resilience Scorecard
The MARKYT Community Resilience Scorecard has been launched to map community resilience, local government performance and community needs. Local Governments would like to hear from 10,000 residents across Western Australia.
The study is unique in its scale, reach and impact. The project sees the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, 139 Local Governments and local communities collaborating to access timely and relevant information, with support from Local Government Professionals WA and CATALYSE.
The Scorecard is gathering baseline and informing data to help local communities evaluate symbols of recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak in Western Australia. It is helping local leaders and decision makers to understand how local communities are coping in relation to their health, social relationships and work and what local government needs to prioritise to support communities during the recovery phase.
To take part, you can pick up a hard copy of the survey form at the Shire office, or complete the survey online here.
Doctor Services
Mid West Aero Medical team have recommenced their weekly clinics in town. Doctor Rosie Stroud’s last clinic will be Wednesday 15 July. The following week clinic days will be moving to Thursdays with Dr Ben MacDonald taking over from Thursday 23 July.
On behalf of the Shire we would like to thank Dr Stroud for caring for our community over the last 18 months.
Telephone consultations are still also available and patients can still be seen in person in Geraldton if needed. Call Midwest Aero Medical on 9956 8999 to book in.
Road Condition Reports
As the wet weather comes in, the Shire will update the status of its roads on its website and Facebook page. You can also subscribe to be added to our text message service by completing the registration form at the Shire Office or downloading it from our website.
We ask that – when it is wet – motorists avoid non-essential travel on our unsealed roads, as this can cause damage to our road network, and diverts resources away from our ongoing road improvement efforts.
Mosquito Activity
Shire officers have been testing and treating standing water for mosquito larvae and fogging. If you are have issues with mosquitos at your property, please let the Shire know (visit the office, call 9928 1102 or email enquiries@mingenew.wa.gov.au) so that we can investigate and treat the issue.
Council Meeting Review – June 2020
Council held both an Ordinary and a Special meeting in June to consider a number of items:
- Confirming our support for, and involvement in, the State Government’s National Redress Scheme arrangements
- Commencing the consultation process into the Ward and Representation Review (as discussed in more detail above)
- Providing feedback to the Department of Local Government on the most recent changes to the Local Government Act: The Local Government Regulations Amendment (Consequential) Regulations 2020
- Endorsement of maintaining the current bridge alignment for the new Coalseam Road bridge
- Acknowledgement of some uncollectable debts, to allow us to remove them from our budget
- Consideration of upgrading the proposed replacement to our semi water tanker from second-hand to new
For all the details, you can check the minutes on the Shire website.