Council Update March 2022

Message from the Shire President

I want to begin this month with piece of sad news that I recently received, the passing of Tom Ward. Tom served as a Shire of Mingenew Councillor from 1982-1999, and as Shire President from 1988-1999. His exceptional service resulted in him being named a Freeman of the Mingenew Shire in 2002. Our deep condolences go out to the Tom’s family, friends, and loved ones.

Tom wasn’t the only person to start with the Shire in 1982. In February of that year Robert Stephen commenced on our works crew, and it gave me great pleasure to recognise his 40 years of service at a recent function. It is an incredible milestone and we are very grateful for the significant contribution Robert has made in his numerous roles over the past four decades.

In another celebration, of sorts, I also had the pleasure of officially opening the new Coalseam Bridge on March 16. The project has only been possible with the support of our partners at the State and Federal who helped to both fund and manage the works. The new bridge is certainly a huge improvement upon its predecessor and should serve our road users well for many years to come.

This month Councillors also had the opportunity to meet with Minister Stephen Dawson, who is the WA Minister for Emergency Services and Volunteering. The Minister visited Mingenew along with the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner and WA State Recovery Coordinator. It was a good opportunity to highlight some of the challenges our community are still facing in TC Seroja’s aftermath, as well as a chance to raise our concerns about the impact of the new Work Health and Safety laws on our bushfire brigades and broader challenges we are facing with volunteer capacity – especially for our ambulance services.

There is no denying the contribution volunteers make to our community, and the degree to which we rely on them. Equally, we are all aware of the other demands on peoples’ time and the fact that our volunteer pool has shrunk, with our population, over the years. As Councillors we spend a considerable amount of time discussing these issues, as well as the difficulties we face as local businesses struggle for workers and how this impacts the degree to which people shop locally.

I expect we will be engaging with the community to talk through some of these challenges in the coming months and years, but for now I encourage you to consider the role that you play and to perhaps talk with your friends and family about how things could be improved and what you could do to help us on that journey.

– Cr Gary Cosgrove, Shire President 

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.

TC Seroja Recovery Plan Workshop

Nearly 12 months on, Cyclone Seroja has, directly and indirectly, left a number of impacts and challenges for our community.

The Local Recovery Coordination Group is hosting a workhop to develop a Local Recovery Plan for Mingenew. You’re invited to contribute to the discussion and development of the plan. During the workshop, we will:

• Identify the known impacts of Cyclone Seroja across the Shire of Mingenew
• Brainstorm positive ideas and actions that address these impacts
• Incorporate community input into the Local Recovery Plan

The workshop will take place from 9am-3pm on Monday 4 April 2022 at the Mingenew Recreation Centre. Please RSVP to Deborah Maley, Community Recovery Officer, at SerojaMorawa@dfes.wa.gov.au or 0459 966 311 by 1 April 2022.

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 by clicking here or 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.

Coalseam Bridge

The new Coalseam bridge was opened officially on 16 April 2022 by Shire President Gary Cosgrove and Main Roads WA Regional Manager Janet Hartley-West. Final works are underway dismantling the side track and removing site buildings.

Railway Station Project

Works are commencing on the restoration of the Mingenew Railway Station. The project is being carried out with support from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and Lotterywest. Stay tuned for updates over the coming months.

Road Works Update

Sealing works on a number of town streets and carparks, along with the southern section of the Mingenew-Mullewa Rd have now been completed. Ongoing widening works across much of the Mingenew-Mullewa Rd will continue for several weeks before being sealed.

Repair works will commence shortly on the western end of Yandanooka West Road.

Tip Hours/Office Hours for Easter

During April’s public holidays there will be some small changes to waste service operations in the Shire of Mingenew.

Friday 15 April (Good Friday)

• Transfer Station will be closed
• Skip bin collection will not take place (postponed)

Saturday 16 April (Easter Saturday)

• Transfer Station open as normal (9.00am – 12.00pm)
• Postponed skip bin collection will take place

Sunday 17 April (Easter Sunday)

• Transfer Station open as normal (9.00am – 12.00pm)

Monday 18 April (Easter Monday) & Monday 25 April (ANZAC Day)

• 240L domestic rubbish bin collection will take place as normal
• Transfer Station will be closed as normal

The Shire Office and Depot will be closed on all of the dates above.

Please contact the Shire on 08 9928 1102 or enquiries@mingenew.wa.gov.au with any issues.

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 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. They can assist with any complaints or issues you may be having with your insurer.

More Information:

• DFES Emergency Recovery Site: https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/emergencywa/recovery.html
• 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 website.

Bush Fire Advisory Committee Meeting

A Bush Fire Advisory Meeting took place on 14 March, with discussion focused on the incoming Work Health and Safety legislation. Some actions which will be coming out of this meeting:

• Brigade captains and local government representatives will meet to discuss a set of minimum standards of training, equipment and behaviour for all Mingenew brigade members
• Training will be scheduled for later in the year to allow existing and prospective brigade members, as well as farm employees, to attend

Council Meeting Attendance in 2022

Council will be holding Ordinary Council Meetings at 5.00pm on the following dates: April 20, 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, visit this link or contact Erin Greaves on 08 9928 1102 or governance@mingenew.wa.gov.au.