Council Update October 2020
Message from the Shire President
As harvest starts to ramp up, I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and productive season. I also want to remind everyone – particularly those of us who drive heavy vehicles – to take it easy on the roads. In addition to the obvious safety risks of travelling at high speeds, we want people to consider the impact they are potentially making, especially on our many unsealed sections. Driving to the conditions can both keep you, and other road users safe, as well as prolonging the life of our roads and reducing the cost of ongoing road repair.
This month I was fortunate to be involved in two events which highlighted the rich history of our town, and the passion and efforts of our local Historical Society. On 16 October 40-50 descendants of William Henry Linthorne returned to Mingenew to commemorate the centenary of his passing. Mr Linthorne built a number of Mingenew’s historical buildings and was the inaugural Road Board Secretary from 1901-1919. It was touching to see so many turn up to remember him.
Several days later I also attended the official opening of the Mingenew Historical Walk – a fantastic project which has captured and made accessible a lot of our local history. For those who haven’t seen the large display boards in the main street, or the ant markers around town, I strongly encourage you to take a look.
Incidentally, that project was funded, in part, by the Shire’s Community Assistance Grants – and another round is currently open. Council has already awarded funds to two very worth applications so far this financial year, so if your group has a project in mind, now would be a great time to apply.
– Cr Gary Cosgrove, Shire President
Community Assistance Scheme Fund Open
Following the awarding of funds to the Mingenew-Irwin Group for their ‘Shuttle Alley’ project and the Mingenew Golf Club for a new ride-on mower, there were sufficient funds remaining in the Shire’s Community Assistance Scheme budget to fund a second round.
You can obtain more information from our website or contact Margaret Rowe, Community Development Officer on 9928 1102 or cdo@mingenew.wa.gov.au. Applications close 20 November 2020.
Mingenew Youth Precinct Update
You may have noticed activity at the Skate Park and Cecil Newton Park lately. Our two new playgrounds are in the process of being installed and – following the addition of some softfall – will be open in early November. We would like to thank Smyth Agri Services and Daybreak Cropping for their in kind assistance in transporting some of the equipment and materials.
Still to come will be the addition of a flying fox (expect this in late November), with skate park upgrades and the pump track installation (as well as paths and landscaping) to take place in the new year. We also want to thank everyone who has pledged so far towards the flying fox addition.
For more information contact Margaret Rowe, Community Development Officer on 9928 1102 or cdo@mingenew.wa.gov.au.
Take it Easy on the Roads this Harvest
The Shire has been approached by some agricultural road users requesting seasonal speed reductions on some of our unsealed roads in a bid to improve safety and preserve the condition of our road surfaces.
Rather than mandating speed limits, we are asking all road users – particularly those in heavy vehicles – to ensure they are driving to the conditions and moderating their speed as possible on our unsealed roads, especially when cornering and passing other vehicles. Whilst the Shire can introduce speed restrictions on RAV vehicles throughout our road network, we would like to provide our road users with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to take it easy on our unsealed roads.
Fire Season
With fire season approaching, please keep in mind these key dates:
Restricted Burning: 17 Sep – 31 Oct 2020 / 1 Feb – 15 Mar 2021
Permits are required for burning activities during these times.
Permit Issuing Officers:
Murray Thomas 9928 1122 | 0428 281 157
Nick Duane 9972 6058 | 0429 726 058
Prohibited Burning: 1 Nov 2020 – 31 Jan 2021
All burning is prohibited during this period.
For more information consult the Firebreak Notice sent out with the annual rates notice and available online at or contact the Shire.
Tidy Blocks
With fire season approaching, in addition to ensuring your block is safe, it’s a great time to do some tidying.
Our Environmental Health Officer and Ranger will be conducting inspections to identify any locations which may harbour vermin, provide habitat for snakes or mosquitoes. These blocks typically:
- Contain debris or rubbish, including places where water collects and stagnates
- Are overgrown or untidy
What will Council do?
We will contact property owners and request that they address any issues that are found. We can also help to discuss possible solutions. Council can assist with transportation of large items to the rubbish tip and with block slashing through private works arrangements. We may also be able to assist with the treatment of standing water to eliminate mosquitoes.
In general, we much prefer to help owners tidy up rather than issuing infringement notices.
What can you do?
Store materials on your block in a tidy manner and tip out any standing water, reducing the places for vermin, snakes and mosquitoes to live and breed
- Remove debris/rubbish from your block
- Keep the vegetation on your block trimmed so that it doesn’t become a home for vermin or, come the end of the rains, a potential fire hazard
- Contact Council if you have large items, like car bodies, that you need help to remove
What is the outcome?
- There are less places for vermin, snakes and mosquitoes to breed
- There are less overgrown lots and a smaller fire risk
- Our town looks tidier and more appealing
- Mingenew is a safer and more pleasant place to live and visit
We know that most of our residents work hard to keep their properties tidy, and we are confident that these are outcomes everyone would like to see. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at the Shire and we will do our best to help.
Mosquito Activity
Shire officers have been testing and treating standing water for mosquito larvae and fogging. 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.
Fixed Wireless Coverage for Mingenew
Just a reminder that the Shire, with assistance from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Program, has completed an upgrade of a telecommunications near the Mingenew townsite. This upgrade has made Node1’s Fixed Wireless internet service available to residents and businesses in town.
Fixed wireless broadband is already available to many in the rural parts of the Shire through the State Government’s Digital Farms program, which the Shire project built upon.
For more information, visit: the Node1 website.
Council Meeting Review – October 2020
Council’s October meeting saw the renewal of several water use agreements, a variation to Council’s lease over railway land at Yandanooka to further Astrotourism ventures and consideration of a detailed response to the ongoing review of the Local Government Act.
For all the details, you can check the minutes on the Shire website: https://mingenew.wa.gov.au/minutes/.