Council Update July 2021

Message from the Shire President

At its July Ordinary Meeting, Council adopted its budget for 2021/22. It’s a balanced, but big, budget this year with over $10m of, largely funded, road and bridge works. The budget has also been increased by some significant road and building repair items because of TC Seroja. Thankfully, many of these costs will be covered by the Shire’s insurance and disaster funding arrangements.

We have also recently seen some further joint State and Federal funding released for our residents and businesses who were impacted by TC Seroja, particularly around covering clean-up costs, and we would encourage anyone who still has need for assistance to see if they are eligible.

This month, our region was visited by both the WA Premier and the Minister for Local Government. It is welcome that they are taking the time to come up here and try to understand some of the challenges that we are facing. In my meetings with them, I stressed the need for assistance to address the housing and building trade shortage that we have been struggling with since before the cyclone, as well as the slow insurance claims processes plaguing a number of our impacted residents.

Thankfully, despite our challenges, the recent weather has seen a great start to the cropping season and the beginnings of one of our best wildflower seasons for a number of years. I also note that Expo is returning, in its full capacity, to the Rec Centre on the 11th and 12th to showcase our Shire and region. This year all profits are being donated back to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund to assist those in our region impacted by TC Seroja, so I would strongly encourage you to support the event.

– Cr Gary Cosgrove, Shire President 

2021/22 Financial Year Budget

Council has adopted its budget for the coming year. For the 2021/22 Financial Year the Shire of Mingenew has budgeted for a Total Comprehensive Income of $14.57m, comprising operating and capital grants (80%), Rates (14%), Transport Licencing (3% – offset by Transport Licencing Expenditure), Fees and Charges (2%) and Other Sundry Income (1%).

All of the Shire’s revenue is spent providing infrastructure and services to enhance the everyday lives for ratepayers and visitors. The Shire builds roads, maintains roads, manages waste, maintains parks and gardens, provides leisure services, and community development projects. The Shire dedicates all of its resources into areas that aim to improve the quality of life for its residents and visitors.

As a local government we also have significant compliance and governance responsibilities that we must carry out. This includes the development of various strategic and operational plans, providing reports and information to the State Government and other external agencies, and ensuring we have systems and processes in place for the sound management of public resources.

Some of these areas include:

  • Transport – $12.21m is budgeted for the maintenance, renewal and upgrade of roads, bridges, culverts, pavements and footpaths
  • Recreation & Culture – $1.41m is budgeted for the provision and maintenance of recreational infrastructure
  • Economic Services – $520,000 is budgeted for the provision of services to the community and for tourism and area promotion
  • Community Amenities – $290,000 is budgeted for community infrastructure, waste and other services
  • Governance – $360,000 is budgeted to meet Shire’s regulatory and compliance requirements
  • Other – $1.52m is budgeted for bush fire management & animal control, health, education & welfare, housing and other property and services

2021/22 Rates

As part of the budget adoption, Council adopted a rates increase of approximately 3% for the year. Rates notices will be issued by the end of July, so keep an eye out for yours.

You can also find more information on the Shire website (click here).

Community Assistance Scheme Grants 2021-22: Round 1

Applications for round 1 for the Community Assistance Scheme have now opened. Community Groups are invited to apply for these CAS grants for up to $5,000.00, either in cash, in-kind or both. If your group has a project in mind that requires some funding this could be the answer for you.

Applications close 5.00pm 27th August 2021.

For any further information or to discuss your application please call the Shire or email Margaret Rowe, Community Development Officer, at cdo@mingenew.wa.gov.au.

Drum Muster

The Shire is coordinating a Drum Muster on Tuesday 24th August 2021 between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm at Shire Depot #2 (on Mingenew-Morawa Road).

Book now to reserve your time: Phone the Shire Office 9928 1102 or email cdo@mingenew.wa.gov.au.

More information available on www.drummuster.org.au.

Local Government Elections – October 2021

For the upcoming 2021 Local Government Ordinary Election there are three vacancies, with the following Councillors’ terms expiring:

  • Cr Helen Newton
  • Cr Robert Newton
  • Cr Anthony Smyth

Should more nominations be received than the available positions, the Shire will be holding an in-person election on Saturday, 16 October 2021. Although considered an in-person election, voters may place an early vote or apply for a postal vote (more information to follow in the lead up to the election once nominations have been received).

Ward System

Previously the Shire has been governed under a Ward system (with a Town Ward and Rural Ward). However, following a review of the Shire’s Ward system in 2020, Council made a decision to abolish the ward system, and this was granted by the Minister in December 2020. Therefore, this year’s election is conducted as a full District.

Enrolments

You may be eligible to be enrolled to vote in the local government ordinary election on Saturday 16 October 2021 if you are an owner and/or occupier of rateable property in the Shire of Mingenew.

Residents

You are automatically enrolled to vote if you are on the State Electoral Roll as at 5.00 pm on Friday, 27 August 2021 (close of enrolments). If you are not already on the State Electoral Roll and meet the eligibility criteria, or if you have changed address recently, you must complete an enrolment form.

Non-Resident Owners and Occupiers

All residents in a local government district who are enrolled on the State Electoral Roll are automatically enrolled on the corresponding local government roll. People who reside outside of the Shire but own property in the Shire or occupy property within the local government but are not enrolled for that property on the State Electoral Roll can apply to their local government to be included on the roll as an owner/occupier, as long as they are eligible electors. A body corporate may apply to have up to two eligible nominees to be included on the owner/occupier roll.

To check your enrolment status please click here.

To enrol to vote click here.

Nominations

Any person who is an Australian Citizen over the age of 18 years who is an elector of the district and is not disqualified under the Local Government Act 1995 may nominate for Council. Nominations for all vacancies open on Thursday 2 September 2021 and must be lodged by 4.00pm Thursday 9 September 2021.

If you are interested in nominating for Council, the Shire is looking to host an Information Session on Wednesday, 18 August 2021, from 5pm in the Council Chambers. You are encouraged to visit our website and check our Facebook page for further information.

Please visit the Shire’s website (here) for information contact the Shire office on (08) 99281102 or email erin.greaves@mingenew.wa.gov.au with election enquiries.

Roadwork Updates

As we move into a wetter time of year, our road works will be focused more on general and reactive maintenance. We will be utilising the Shire’s text messaging service, Facebook and our website to provide updates on any road closures. We encourage people to report any hazards to the Shire, (click here) and ask that people drive to the conditions.

As the weather improves, our first order of business is to complete resheeting works at the northern end of Mooriary Road, following by resheeting on Morawa-Yandanooka Road.

You can find out more at our website here.

Call for Expressions of Interest: Mingenew Tourist Centre Lease

In previous years Mingenew’s Tourist and Promotions Committee volunteers have manned the building during wildflower season, but a year-on-year reduction in volunteer availability – and increase in visitors has meant that this year we will be trialing a different model.

Following an initial EoI process, Council has re-advertised and will consider applications from groups that may require financial subsidy.

Expressions of Interest will be received up to 9.00 am Friday 6 August 2021 and the matter will be decided at a Special Meeting of Council the following week

You can access more details, and the form, online (click here).

Any enquiries, regarding the Expression of Interest process, including requests to inspect the building, should be directed to Erin Greaves, Governance Officer on 9928 1102 or by emailing governance@mingenew.wa.gov.au.

Shire Tenders

The Shire currently has two open public tenders:

RFT1 2021/22 – Yandanooka North East Road Intersection Construction

The Shire of Mingenew requests the submission of tenders by suitably qualified and experienced contractors for the construction of a realigned section of Yandanooka North East Road, and a modified intersection between Yandanooka North East Road and Mingenew-Morawa Road.

Tenders must be submitted to tenders@mingenew.wa.gov.au by 2.00pm on 30 August 2021.

RFT2 2021/22 – Purchase and Disposal of Motor Grader

Tenders are invited for the supply and delivery of one (1) Motor Grader with a net engine power of 130 – 180kW and for the outright purchase of one (1) 2008 Caterpillar 12M Motor Grader with approximately 11,119 operational hours.

Submissions must be made to tenders@mingenew.wa.gov.au by 11.59pm on Sunday 22 August 2021.

For more information, including full tender specifications, please visit the tender page on the Shire website (here).

Transfer Station: Now Open

Our transfer station is now open.

Hours are:

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 8am – 12pm
  • Wednesday: 1pm – 5pm
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: 8am – 12pm
  • Saturday: 9am – 12pm
  • Sunday: 9am – 12pm

So far, the transition process has been relatively smooth. We would like to thank everyone for their patience. You can find more information online here or by contacting the Shire.

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. We have recently had an announcement from the State and Federal Governments of a range of funding for primary producers, business owners and residential property owners. You can find more information here.

Financial Assistance:

  • Primary Producer Grants of up to $25,000 to assist with clean-up costs have been announced. Visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to register your interest: click here.
  • Small Business Recovery grants of up to $25,000 to assist with clean-up costs have been announced. Visit the Small Business Development Corporation to register your interest: click here.
  • The Department of Communities have Emergency Financial Assistance available for those looking to replace essential household contents, or repair their properties. Contact the Disaster Response Hotline on 1800 032 965
  • The Australian Government is establishing a range of financial assistance measures for those affected. For more information visit this website or call 180 22 66. Impacted Mingenew residents will be eligible for Commonwealth assistance
  • The Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund has been activated. It opened on 31 May. Copies of application forms are available from the Shire office.
  • Services Australia Payment and Service Finder is an online tool that can be used to see what other payments and services are available, such as income support payments, child care subsidy and support for school aged children.
  • If you need assistance accessing online payments and services, the please visit the Mingenew CRC and they will be able to assist you

More Information:

  • DFES Emergency Recovery Site
  • ABC Radio in the Mid West and Wheatbelt: 828AM or 531AM
  • Department of Communities Disaster Response Hotline: 1800 032 965
  • SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
  • In a life-threatening situation, always call 000

Mosquito Activity

If you are have 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.

Given the recent weather, there is more standing water around than usual and this can result in increased mosquito numbers. We can only do so much on our own, 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
  • 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 as well – click here.

Council Meeting Review – July 2021

The July Council Meeting saw the adoption of Council’s budget for the 2021-22 financial year. This included the endorsement of a range of projects and initiatives that we will be rolling out over the next 12 months (and beyond).

Council also endorsed the annual review of the Shire’s 5-year Road Plan and support for Council co-contribution towards the replacement of the Mingenew Tennis Club clubhouse.

Minutes for Council Meetings, which includes this year’s budget documentation, can be obtained on the Shire website here.

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