News

The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley is continuing its commitment to creating a safe environment for all road users by installing courtesy speed display signs on the Great Northern Highway in the Wyndham townsite.

From 01 July 2022, airfares for regional residents travelling to and from Perth will be capped by the McGowan Government. Local residents will now pay no more than $299 for a one-way flight when booked as a return flight. The State Government has committed $19.8 million to deliver on this election promise and has consulted extensively with regional communities and airlines to support regional aviation.

The Department of Health is warning residents and travellers in the Kimberley region to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, following heavy rainfall, flooding and the first evidence of Kunjin virus activity this season. Since the beginning of January, large parts of the Kimberley have received above-average wet-season rainfall that has resulted in flooding and an increase in mosquito-borne virus activity.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley has recently updated its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) with the help of the Disability Access and Inclusion Committee (DAIC). DAIC’s next steps are to ensure the outcomes identified in the DAIP are progressed. To assist this, the Shire and DAIC will hold a meeting in the Kununurra Council Chambers on Monday 4 April at 4 pm. Community members are encouraged to attend.

The Department of Health WA has supplied the Shire with Oximeters to distribute to community members who fit within the following categories:

The Kimberley Regional Group has held a series of meetings with State Government Ministers and officials in relation to the current crime wave in the Kimberley and strategies to address family dysfunction, over-crowded housing, alcohol abuse and the low school attendance rates which are being experienced across the Kimberley.

In response to the state of emergency, the Shire is offering one-off grants designed to support not-for-profit organisations and community groups to continue to maintain community services.

The Morrison Government has finalised the design of the reinsurance pool for cyclone and related flood damage, following consultation on the draft legislation. The reinsurance pool will be backed by a $10 billion annually reinstated Commonwealth guarantee and be administered by the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation from 1 July 2022.

The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, working with NBN Co, has invested almost $58,000 to create a new nbn Business Fibre Zone at the Kununurra Airport.

On 13 January 2022, the State Government announced that as part of the WA Safe Transition Plan to reopen WA’s borders, proof of vaccination will now be required to enter certain facilities from 31 January 2022. This will directly affect Shire facilities such as the Kununurra Leisure Centre and Peter Reid Memorial Hall. Any patrons aged 16 and over who enter the abovementioned facilities will be required to provide proof of vaccination, this includes members and anyone who wishes to hire Shire facilities.

Due to Water Corporation's planned lowering of Lake Kununurra these facilities will be temporarily closed

Expressions of Interest are invited for the lease over Lot 509 on Deposited Plan 66529, portion of Foreshore Reserve 50468, Millington Drive, Kununurra for the purpose of either water-based community, recreation or tourism on Lake Kununurra.

Expressions of Interest are invited to purchase Lots 401 and 402 on Deposited Plan 223234, Pearse Street, Wyndham.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 14 December 2021, Council adopted the 2021-2026 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP). Under the Disability Services Act 1993, it is a legislative requirement that the DAIP must be reviewed and actions updated at least every five years.

The Shire would like to advise that due to COVID restrictions in Malaysia, there will be a delay in receiving the waterslides to complete the Kununurra Water Playground. The works are now expected to be complete by Easter 2022, in time for the Ord Valley Muster.

On Wednesday 13 October 2021, the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley drew the winners of the Rates Incentive program – Draw A. Draw A was open to all rate assessments paid in full, including all arrears and outstanding interest charges. The competition closed on Friday 8 October 2021.

CleanAway wishes to advise that due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be a delay in waste delivery services in Kununurra and Wyndham until further notice.

A special Council Meeting was held today to swear in the newly elected Councillors and elect a Shire President and Deputy Shire President. The Shire would like to congratulate Cr David Menzel, Cr Anthony Chafer and Cr Narelle Brook on their re-election and welcome newly elected Council members Cr Chelsea NcNeil and Cr Dylan Hearty.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley has been awarded $7.5 million in BBRF (Building Better Regions Funding) grant funding for the first stage of the East Kimberley Regional Airport (EKRA) infrastructure upgrade.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley proposes to lease the café at the East Kimberley Regional Airport Terminal, being part Lot 200 on Deposited Plan 66654, to Timothy McClintock for a period of 5 years for the permitted purpose of café.

The Federal Government is supporting small to medium-sized businesses in the North with a $100 million Northern Australia Development Program (NADP). Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the program would assist Australian businesses who have taken the leap of starting a business in the North.

National Safe Work Month in October is a time to commit to a safe and healthy workplace. Vernon Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer at the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, supports Safe Work Australia’s ‘think safe. work safe. be safe’ campaign and is encouraging other businesses to join in.

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) Board has approved up to $32m loan to construct stage 1 of a cotton gin in Kununurra. Kimberley Cotton Company (KCC) and Namoi Cotton have worked closely on the design and operational planning for Stage 1 of the cotton gin, which can process cotton grown on up to 15,000 hectares in the region.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is proposing to increase the areas where dogs can be legally exercised off lead in the areas of Lakeview Drive and Millington Drive, Kununurra, specifically:

Do you know someone who makes our community a better place Every community has local heroes. Auspire – The Australia Day Council WA, Community Citizen of the Year awards is your opportunity to acknowledge those making an outstanding contribution to our local community. Outstanding contribution and community service include areas such as; education, health, fund-raising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, the environment, social inclusion or any other area that contributes to the advancement and wellbeing of a community.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is committed to supporting not-for-profit, community-based sporting, cultural, environmental, service groups and associations. This support is to foster high-quality programs, community events, facilities and services that benefit the community, in alignment with the Council's Strategic Community Plan. The Community Grant Program aims to assist local community groups/organisations that make positive contributions to the quality of life within the local government area.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably experienced/qualified parties and individuals for the operation of a café at the East Kimberley Regional Airport Terminal.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is pleased to advise that the 2021 Baby Tree Program application is now open. If you had a baby born in Kununurra from 1 Jan 2021 to 31 Dec 2021, you are eligible to have your baby’s name and birth month on the 2021 plaque.

During a routine inspection of the Wyndham Boat Ramp Floating Jetty, the Shire has noted a deterioration in the integrity of the pylons. Works will commence shortly to rectify the issue.

Today, the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley officially opened the new Kununurra Shared Loop Footpath at the Intersection of Coolibah Drive and Messmate Way. Shire President David Menzel officially opened the path with a cutting of a ribbon.