Ranger Services

Residents wishing to contact the Rangers are encouraged to do so through the Shire’s Administration Offices in:

Kununurra - Phone: (08) 9168 4100, or
Wyndham - Phone: (08) 9161 1002

The Shire employs 2 Rangers - Mark Crumblin (KNX) and Bryan Bateman (WYN).

What Does Your Local Ranger Do?

Rangers are Local Government law enforcement officers responsible for the management of a number of Acts of Parliament and Local Laws within the Shire.

What is an Act of Parliament?

A proposal for a new law that has been presented to Parliament is called a Bill. When a Bill is processed and passed through Parliament, it becomes an Act of Parliament.

Acts of Parliament are enforced by government departments and agencies, or organisations that have been given responsibility from the government to implement or enforce their policies. For example: Police Officers, Local Government Rangers, C.A.L.M. and the RSPCA.

What is a Local Law?

Local Governments (For example: Councils) have the power to make local laws considered necessary for the good governance of their districts. Local and State wide comment from the public is considered before the proposed laws are accepted.

The Shire Ranger Services implements and enforces policies that deal with many different Acts and Local Laws and some of these are listed below:

• Abandoned Vehicles
• Parking
• Off-Road Vehicles
• Portable Signs
• Verges and Thoroughfares
• Litter
• Illegal Camping
• Fire Hazards
• Dogs
• Animals Welfare
• Feral Cats
• Some Local Fires
• For more information contact the Rangers,  Mark Crumblin or Graeme Lloyd at the  Shire office

Phone:  (08) 9168 4100

Fax: (08) 9168 1798

e-mail: erso@swek.wa.gov.au

Abandoned Vehicles

Ranger Services is responsible for locating abandoned vehicles within the Town and investigate many jobs each year that deal with abandoned vehicles on council land or roads. Many of these vehicles are derelict and although a lot of vehicles are reported due to them being parked on people’s verges or roadside, unfortunately most of them are found in bush land.

Rangers put notices on the vehicles giving the owners a chance to remove them. Vehicles that still remain after the time on the notice expires are towed to either the tip or impound yard, depending on their condition.

Police checks are conducted for each vehicle so that Ranger Services can attempt to notify any registered owners.

Cars that are impounded can be auctioned or put to tender (sold) 2 calendar months from the date that they are impounded.

To report an abandoned vehicles contact Ranger Services at the Shire office.

Phone: (08) 9168 4100 

Fax: (08) 9168 1798

e-mail: erso@swek.wa.gov.au

To have your vehicle released from the impound yard

You will need to:

• Go to the Shire Depot at 19 Bandicoot Drive Kununurra ,Monday to Friday between 6.30am and 3.30pm for the associated paperwork to be completed.

• Pay all associated fees ie; impound fee, and daily charges.

• Provide proof of ownership (bill of sale/registration papers)

• Provide proof of identification (drivers Licence) and current address.

Vehicles may only be released during the hours that the Depot is open. The Ranger on duty will need to see a receipt of payment of impound fees before they will release the vehicle. Vehicles that are not roadworthy or currently registered must be towed form the impound yard.

Shire Depot  Hours

Monday to Friday 6:30am to 3:30pm.

Phone: (08) 9169 2261

Fax: (08 9168 2025

Animals - Cats

Cats are excellent companion animals, but if not cared for properly can become a nuisance to neighbours and the environment. By being a responsible cat owner, you will not only be making sure that your cat does not suffer unnecessarily, but will strengthen your relationship with your neighbours.

•  Make sure your cat has regular flea and worm treatments, health checks and vaccinations.
• Sterilise your cat if no plans to breed.
• To discourage hunting, place a collar on your cat with a bell or mirror attached.
• Place an identification tag on your cat’s collar.
• Understand your cat’s behaviour and make your property "Cat Safe" by having an area that prevents your cat from climbing fences and straying from your yard.
• Train your cat - Cats are independent, but highly intelligent!
• Keep your cat inside at night time. This is when most accidents occur (car accidents / cat fights) and will assist with neighbourly relations.
• Make sure that there is a responsible person looking after your cat when you go on holidays, and
• Know its whereabouts.
• If you are unsure about the best way to care for your cat/s contact your local vet.

Remember - being a responsible cat owner not only means looking after the health and welfare of your cat, but also means that your cat’s activities are not being a nuisance to your neighbours and the local environment. 

How many cats can you have on your property?

The Shire's Health Local Laws permits residents to have no more than 3 cats on their property. People wanting to keep more than 3 cats may apply in writng to the Shire. For information please contact the Shire's Environmental Health Services department by phoning (08) 9168 4100 during office hours. 

Feral Cats

At present, the Shire does not have a local law to enable them to investigate complaints regarding stray or feral cats on private land. However, if you are having problems with feral cats in your neighbourhood, Ranger Services have a number of humane cat traps that residents may hire.

When cats are caught, it is the person trapping the cat’s responsibility to ensure that someone does not own the cat before arranging the disposal of the cat. Any person who knowingly traps and disposes of an owned cat is liable to be charged for theft by the local Police.

When disposing of feral cats, this must be done in a humane way by the local vet.

For problems with cats on Council Land, please contact Ranger Services at the Shire office.

Phone: (08) 9168 4100

Animals - Dogs

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley promotes responsible dog ownership and seeks to increase the community knowledge and awareness of the various areas of dog care. Each year the Shire is required to destroy a large number of dogs. This is usually due to the fact that many dogs are unwanted and have been abandoned.

Ranger Services answer hundreds of telephone calls reporting stray and nuisance dogs. Owning and keeping a dog is a very rewarding experience and can give you hours of fun and companionship. In return you need to have a caring and responsible attitude towards the welfare of your pet and be willing to learn how to care for its health and understand its behaviour.

Dog Registrations

The Dog Act 1976 and the Shire's Dog Law 2003 require that all dogs over the age of three months are to be registered. There are limitations on the types of breeds and numbers of dogs that can be kept. Please contact the Ranger Services department for further information.

Dog registration form.

Nuisance Dog Complaints

Ranger Services encourages the public to try and resolve problems with their neighbour’s dogs by firstly informing their neighbour of the complaint. If this step does not work, then a Nuisance Dog Complaint Form needs to be completed and returned to Ranger Services, who will then investigate the complaint further.

Downlaod a Nuisance Dog Complaint  form or for more information contact the Shire.

Dog Attack Complaint form

Dog Infringements

Dog infringements can be paid at the Shire’s Administration Offices.

All requests for review of Dog Infringements must be in writing.

For more information contact the Ranger Services:

Phone: (08) 9168 4100
Fax: (08) 9168 1798
e-mail: erso@swek.wa.gov.au

Snakes and Reptiles

Have a snake in your yard? Your first point of contact should be the Department of Enviroment and Conservation (DEC), who can be contacted on (08) 9168 4200.

Injured Native Birds & Animals

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is responsible for investigating injured native fauna and protected species. If you come across any injured birds, reptiles, kangaroos, emus, etc. DEC can be contacted by phone (08) 9168 4200.

Bees and Wasps

Complaints regarding bees and wasps on your verge or other land owned by the Shire should be directed to the Shire’s Ranger Services team by phoning (08)  9169  2261.  If the bees or wasps are located on private land, the owner of that land is responsible for the removal.

For safe removal of bees and wasps, please check the local phone book for qualified people.

Fire Prevention and Reduction

Ranger Services has a number of Bush Fire Control Officers that are reponsible for investigating and monitoring residential and commercial properties within the Shire’s built up area for potential fire hazards and compliance with the Bush Fire Act and Regs.

Bushfires

The Shire’s Infrastructure Directorate assists Fire & Emergency Services (FESA) with the monitoring, reporting and control of bushfires within its Municipal boundary. The Shire’s Chief Bushfire control officer, Gary King has responsibilities and some delegated powers under the Bushfire Act including liaison with various appointed Bushfire control officers at rural stations.

Applications for burning off or for conducting fire fighting drills, should be made to the Chief Bushfire Control Officer.  Some approvals may need to be sought from the Minister.  For further information, contact the Shire’s Cheif Bushfire Officer, Gary King on (08) 9168 4100 during business office hours.

Information relating to the Bushfires Act and control of bushfires is available at http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/

 Burning Within Town Limits

A fire lit for the purpose of destroying garden refuse or any like purpose.

A fire shall not be lit without a permit from the Shire or within the Prohibited Burning Period.

A fire shall not be lit for the purpose of destroying garden refuse or rubbish or for any like purpose unless the fire is lit:

•  In a properly constructed incinerator designed to prevent the escape of sparks or burning material
• Situated not less that 2 metres from any building or fence.
• All inflammable material must be cleared within a 2 metre radius.
• In accordance with any directions given by a Bush Fire Control Officer.
•   Upon Ground 
• All bush or other flammable materials must be thoroughly cleared within 5 metres at all points of the site of the fire.
• Can only be lit between the hours of 18:00hrs in the evening and 23:00hrs of the same day and shall be completely extinguished not later than midnight of that day.

In accordance with any directions given by a Bush Fire Control Officer.

A fire may not be lit if the fire danger forecast is “very high” or “extreme”.

 Permits

During the Shire's Restricted burning times, a person must have a permit to burn prior to burning. Lighting of fires during the Prohibited period is not allowed.

Permits do not cost anything and can only be issued by authorised Bush Fire Control Officers. To obtain a permit contact the Chief Fire Control Officer at our Shire office.

A fire lit for the purpose of Camping/Cooking

A person can light a small fire for the purpose of cooking at any time of the year, unless the fire danger forecast is “very high” or extreme”.

• Fires must me cleared of any inflammable material within a 3 metre radius.
• Fires shall not be lit within 6 metres of a tree, dead or alive.
• At least one person MUST remain in attendance of fire.
• Any directions given by a Bush Fire Control Officer must be followed.
• Can only be lit between the hours of 18:00hrs in the evening and 23:00hrs of the same day.

Cooking with Gas Appliances

A gas lit appliance comprising a fire, the flame of which is encapsulated by the appliance and which does not consume solid fuel shall not be taken as to be a fire lit in the open air and may be used at any time for the purpose of camping or cooking if that gas appliance is used-

• At a person’s home, or
• In an area that is set aside for that purpose by the state authority or local government that bears a sign denoting that purpose.

All combustible material is cleared from within a 5 metre radius of the appliance.

A fire shall not be lit during the Restricted or Prohibited Period unless and until notice of intention to burn has been given to the occupier of all land adjoining the land on which the burning is to take place and to a Bushfire Control Officer from the Shire.

A person who has lit a fire or person left in attendance of a fire shall completely extinguish the fire by application of water or earth before leaving it.

Firebreak Notice 2008

Illegal Camping

Ranger Services investigate and monitor complaints regarding individuals or groups camping illegally on Shire land.

If you have a complaint regarding people camping illegally on Shire land please contact the Ranger Services by phone (08)9168 4100, or in person at the Shire office. 

Complaints regarding squatters on private land should be directed to the local Police Department.

Litter Awareness

Litter

Every time someone carelessly throws or drops a cigarette butt onto the ground, they are littering. From this senseless laziness, huge bushfires are born. 

Every time someone carelessly throws or dumps litter on the ground, they are endangering Australia’s wildlife and adding unecessary hazards to our land.

Every time someone carelessly dumps an unwanted vehicle in our bushland, they spoil the natural beauty of the bush and risk polluting the soil with chemicals.

Parking

Parking Infringements

Ranger Services conduct patrols of the Shire’s parking precincts daily.  Parking infringements can be paid at the Shire’ office, 115 Coolibah Drive, Kununurra.

All requests for review of parking infringements must be in writing.

 For more information contact the  Ranger:

Phone: (08) 9168 4100

Fax: (08) 9168 1798

e-mail: erso@swek.wa.gov.au