Council Update April 2022

Message from the Shire President

There are two major recruitment activities taking place at the moment. The first is the recruitment of a new Chief Executive Officer, as Nils Hay finishes up with us and moves to his new role as CEO at the Mid West Development Commission in Geraldton. I want to congratulate Nils on his new role, and thank him for his service to the Shire. Applications will open shortly for his successor.

We will also shortly be running an Extraordinary Election to fill the seat vacated by Gavin Pearse, who recently resigned from Council. If you would be interested in finding out more about the role of a Councillor, I would encourage you to contact me or one of my fellow elected members. Nominations will be open from 22 May to 29 May and the election will be taking place on 13 July 2022.

This month I was involved in the Community Recovery Planning workshop, which has taken place coincidentally with the anniversary of TC Seroja. Whilst many in our community have bounced back in the past year, there are still those who are battling with insurance companies and builders, struggling to attract staff or just plain worn out. It is clear that even with a strong farming season last year, and a reasonable start to the 2022 growing season, our local community and businesses are still facing challenges, and the number of local businesses for sale perhaps serves to underscore this fact.

Council is looking forward to the outcomes of the planning process so that we can work with the community and relevant stakeholders to try to address some of these issues. We have also been actively investigating ways that we and the broader community can be engaged to support local socioeconomic growth.

If you have ideas, or simply want to help, please feel free to have a chat with me or my fellow Councillors.

– Cr Gary Cosgrove, Shire President 

Shire Tenders
RFT10 21/22 Preferred Supplier Panel

The Shire of Mingenew is currently tendering for a Panel of Pre-qualified Providers for the Provision of:

• Wet hire of plant & equipment
• Electrical Services
• Plumbing Services
• Handyman Services
• Arbor Services
• Airconditioning and Refrigeration Services
• Supply and laying of concrete
• Supply and installation of kerbing
• Mechanical services
• Auto electrician services
• Painting services
• Pest Control
• Fire Management

The Initial Contract Period will be 1 August 2022 –31 July 2024(2 years); with three possible single (1) year extensions thereafter (given at the discretion of the Shire of Mingenew), total of five (5) years maximum.
For all enquiries, contact the Business Operations Manager, GFG Consulting, paul@gfgconsulting.com.au. To download the tender documentation, click here.

This tender closes Wednesday 8 June 2022 at 2:00PM WST. Local contractors are strongly encouraged to apply.

RFT1 22/23 Mingenew Tennis Clubhouse Reconstruction

The Shire of Mingenew (the Shire) invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced contractors for building construction works at the Mingenew Tennis Club, Lot 110 (P240354) Bride Street, Mingenew WA 6522.

Where a Tenderer believes they can provide a better value for money solution which delivers comparable outcomes, they are encouraged to submit an Alternative Tender.

For queries contact Nils Hay on ceo@mingenew.wa.gov.au or 08 9928 1102.

To download the tender documentation, click here.

This tender closes Monday 10 July 2022 at 10:00AM WST

Draft Local Heritage Survey

At the Ordinary Council meeting held 20 April 2022, Council endorsed the release of a draft Local Heritage Survey for public consultation.

The Local Heritage Survey (LHS) replaces the former Municipal Inventory of Heritage Places (last reviewed in 1996) to identify and prioritise places of local heritage significance and includes a Heritage List that provides some protections and management guidance under the Local Planning Scheme.

Members of the public, including landowners and community interest groups are invited to review the draft LHS and provide comment to assist in informing the final LHS which will be presented at the 15 June 2022 Council meeting.

More Information

To access a copy of the draft Local Heritage Survey, please visit the Shire’s website (here) or request a copy from the Shire office.

Consultant Laura Gray may be contacted on 0408 105 784 or emailed at laura.gray@bigpond.com.

Submissions

Submissions may be made by email to governance@mingenew.wa.gov.au or complete the submission form available at the Shire Office or on the Shire’s website.

Submissions close 9am Monday, 23 May 2022.

Temporary Worker Caravans

Do you have, or are you planning to have, workers attend your property to carry out repairs or reconstruction works as a result of damage sustained during Tropical Cyclone Seroja? Or do you have seasonal farmhands who would ordinarily stay onsite but can no longer do so, due to damage caused by the Seroja?

Under the jointly funded Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, funding has been made available to the Shire of Mingenew to provide temporary accommodation for workers following STC Seroja.

The accommodation is in the form of on-site, modern, airconditioned caravans, fully fitted out and ready for use. It is available for recovery workers and seasonal workers impacted by the cyclone.

How to book accommodation:

There are two steps to booking this accommodation.

The contractors and workers must register with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to confirm eligibility. Registrations can be made online here or by calling 1800 490 678.

Check availability and make a booking at the Mingenew Spring Caravan Park by calling 08 9928 1019 or by emailing cvbafarr@bigpond.com. Accommodation payments are made directly to the Mingenew Spring Caravan Park.

If you want to know more about bookings and rates, please contact the Mingenew Spring Caravan Park.

If accommodation in town is not practical or if you would like to explore alternative temporary accommodation options, contact Paul Owen at GFG Consulting who will co-ordinate questions and requests on behalf of the Shire and liaise with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Paul can be contacted on 041 998 3537 or paul@gfgconsulting.com.au.

Pulse Oximeters

The Shire is assisting the WA Health Department to distribute free Pulse Oximeters to eligible people, should they be needed for the COVID Care at Home program.

Who Is Eligible:

• Non-Aboriginal people over 65
• Aboriginal people over 50
• Pregnant women

How Do I Get One?
Eligible people can collect their free pulse oximeter from the Shire office during business hours (8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).

When Do I Use It?

The pulse oximeter is to be used once you have become COVID-19 positive and entered the WA COVID Care at Home program.

How Do I Register for WA COVID Care at Home?

To register for WA COVID Care at Home you first need to have tested positive for COVID-19.

You can find out more online here, or by calling 1800 367 277.

Have Questions?

Shire staff are not qualified to provide advice or feedback regarding the operation of pulse oximeters (or any other health advice).

For general COVID-related queries, call 13-COVID (13 26843) or visit the WA Government website.

If you have a query about your pulse oximeter, or the results you are receiving, you should contact WA COVID Care at Home on 1800 367 277.

If you have a medical emergency, always call 000.

Dog and Cat Microchipping Services

Do you need your dog or cat microchipped? WA Contract Ranger Services can now microchip when they come to Mingenew.

Payment is required upfront and is cash only. Call the Shire on 9928 1102 to enquire or to book your cat or dog to be microchipped.

Please make sure you are available and at your house on the date you’ve booked for. Other arrangements can also be made with the Ranger on the day

You can find out more about microchipping requirements and looking after dogs and cats online here.

Providing Feedback

We welcome your feedback at the Shire, and have a purpose-built feedback form available on our website (click here), or at our office, if you have a comment, compliment, complaint, or request for service. Using the form will ensure that your feedback makes it to the correct person in our organisation and is properly captured in our records system.

Shire SMS Service

To improve our public communication the Shire sends out text messages for key fire, road and community-related matters. It’s easy and free to get on the list. If you would like to be added to the database, please fill in a form at the Shire office or complete one online here.

TC Seroja

The Shire is continuing to maintain its website resources for those impacted by the cyclone. You can view it here.

Financial Assistance:

The State and Federal Governments continue to offer a range of funding for primary producers, business owners and residential property owners, including those who have insurance. If you have suffered any damage or loss, we strongly encourage you to check and see what you may be eligible for. A full list can be found here.

Assistance Hubs:

A permanent hub has been established in Morawa by DFES, Department of Communities and the Red Cross to assist anyone impacted. Officers from this hub will be at the Mingenew CRC every Monday if you want to ask questions or get some help.

Insurance:

If you have questions or need help with insurance claims, contact the Insurance Council catastrophe hotline on 1800 734 621 or visit their website (https://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/). They can assist with any complaints or issues you may be having with your insurer.

More Information:

• DFES Emergency Recovery Website
• ABC Radio in the Mid West and Wheatbelt: 828AM or 531AM
• Department of Communities Disaster Response Hotline: 1800 032 965
• In a life-threatening situation, always call 000

Mosquito Activity

If you are having issues with mosquitoes 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.

We can only do so much on our own though, so please help by:

• Emptying out standing water that they could breed in
• Tidying up any debris which might be serving as a breeding ground
• Consider treating your property residual sprays to control mosquitoes
• Let us know about issues in public areas. We can help treat standing water on or near your property which might be serving as a breeding ground that can’t be emptied out

You can find out more about controlling mosquitoes around your home through the Department of Health online here.

Local Emergency Management Committee

A LEMC meeting took place on May 9. Among other things, it considered feedback from the Community Recovery Planning Workshop that took place on April 4. Stay tuned for updates on this item as the Community Recovery Plan is developed.

Council Meeting Updates

At our April 20 Ordinary Meeting, Council adopted the recommendations and officer positions from the March Bush Fire Advisory Committee Meeting, adopted an updated Work Health and Safety Policy and Staff Attraction and Retention Plan, ruled on two tenders (linemarking work for the Mingenew-Mullewa Road and the purchase of a new prime mover) and endorsed a draft Local Heritage Survey document for public consultation. It also commenced the processes for the recruitment of a new CEO and holding of an Extraordinary Election.

The minutes from this, and previous, meetings are available on the Shire website, here.

Council Meeting Attendance in 2022

Council will be holding Ordinary Council Meetings at 5.00pm on the following dates: June 15, August 17, October 19 and December 14. The public can attend these meetings and participate in public question time.

We will only be holding Concept Forum meetings on: May 18, July 20, September 21 and November 16. Members of the public may still attend address Council on these dates between 5.00 and 5.30pm

For more information, click here or contact Erin Greaves on 08 9928 1102 or governance@mingenew.wa.gov.au.