Council Update November 2021

Message from the Shire President

This month again I welcome a new Councillor to the Shire, with Jon Holmes elected unopposed in the recent Extraordinary Election. Council once again has a full complement and I look forward to working with them all over the coming two years.

The coming period is potentially one of change for the Local Government Sector, with our Minister recently releasing a suite of legislative change proposals for local government. Our staff and Councillors will be responding to the proposals, some of which we believe represent positive change and others that we have reservations about. It is a public process however, and we would encourage those interested in the future of local government to have their say on this matter as well. (You can learn more online here) We are also experiencing changes in the Occupational Health and Safety space, as new legislation is introduced which will impact – among others – our bush fire brigade volunteers.

This month Council awarded two significant road tenders, and has a further two infrastructure projects currently out to tender. The current market is proving a challenging one for local governments (and businesses) state-wide, due to labour shortages, supply chain issues and rising costs. Nevertheless, we remain committed to trying to achieve our operational plans and deliver on our funded projects. To that end, I was pleased to receive formal notification of an additional $108,000 from LotteryWest to assist with the restoration of the Mingenew Railway Station – one of several key projects we are looking to deliver.

Finally, I want to acknowledge that it finally feels like summer is here and harvest is in full swing. It is shaping up to be a good harvest for the district, but with these positive conditions come challenges such as increased heavy traffic on our roads. I would encourage everyone to take it easy on the roads in the coming weeks, and drive to the conditions – wherever you are.

– Cr Gary Cosgrove, Shire President 

Local Government Extraordinary Election Update

Due to a vacant seat remaining on Council following the Ordinary Election, an Extraordinary Election process has been undertaken. There was one nomination received during this process and Mr Jonathan Holmes was elected unopposed to fill Council’s final seat. Congratulations, and welcome to Councillor Holmes.

You can find out more at the Shire’s website here.

Shire Tenders
We currently have two open tenders:

  • RFT5 21-22 AGRN965-EPAR Works for the Shire of Mingenew
  • RFT6 21-22 Mingenew Railway Station Renovation

Both close Monday 6 December 2022. For more information and to download the tender documents, click here.

Mingenew Christmas Tree
The Mingenew Christmas Tree is taking place at the Mingenew Sports Club on Saturday 11 December from 4.30pm. For more information on this free community event, click here.

Cecil Newton Park/Skate Park Update

Despite some challenges, progress continues on the Cecil Newton Park/Skate Park precinct. You may have noticed that shade sail poles have been erected recently. Our next steps are:

  • Shade sails are due to be installed in next 2-3 weeks
  • Seating (including some with shelter) have arrived and are scheduled for install over the next 2-3 weeks also
  • Some landscaping works (block wall along western boundary garden bed, re-purposing of the Big Ears ‘stump’, grassing of existing sandy sections) are scheduled to take place this year

In the new year:

  • The precinct will be fenced
  • Some further shade, seating and landscaping will be installed
  • Treatment of the existing driveway area will take place
  • New parking will be delineated
  • BMX track area will be developed

The community working group is meeting to determine next steps, including around the BMX area. We’re aiming for a final completion date sometime around February/March 2022 (contractors and material supplies willing).

For more information, contact Margaret Rowe, Community Develoment Officer on 9928 1102 or cdo@mignenew.wa.gov.au.

Shire Christmas Closure

The Shire will close at midday on Wednesday 22 December 2021 and reopen on Tuesday 4 January 2022. During this time a small maintenance crew will be operating, but our office and depot will be closed. For urgent matters you can call 08 9928 1102 and pass a message through our after hours service.

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 (www.mingenew.wa.gov.au/feedback-form), 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.

Shire Website Refresh
You may have noticed our website has undergone a small update, in an effort to try to make it more user-friendly. We would welcome user feedback – which can be provided easily right here.

TC Seroja

The Shire is continuing to maintain its website resources for those impacted by the cyclone. You can view it here: https://mingenew.wa.gov.au/shire-news/tropical-cyclone-seroja/

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 Site: click here
  • 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

Fire Season

As the weather heats up, we want to remind everyone that we are in a Prohibited Burning period from 1 November 2021 to 31 January 2022 (with Restricted Burning to follow from 1 February 2022 to 15 March 2022).

We strongly advise that you prepare for bushfire season – particularly this year, as the wet weather and cyclone have added to fuel loads. You can find out more about bushfire planning here.

You can also keep track of WA’s bushfire warning and fire bans online here.

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
  • 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 as well – click here.

Council Meeting Review – November 2021

Cr Holmes was sworn in ahead of November’s meeting. At the meeting, Council awarded two tenders (for widening works on Mingenew-Mullewa Road and intersection realignment on Yandanooka North-East Road), it also reviewed its suite of finance policies. Council also considered a motion to reduce the number of Ordinary Council Meetings held each year (from 11, to around 6). This matter will return to Council at the December 15 Council meeting for further debate and a decision.

Minutes for Council Meetings can be obtained on the Shire website here.

 

 see more news