News

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 27 April 2021, Council endorsed the following proposed differential rates and minimum payments for advertising. In accordance with Section 6.36 of the Local Government Act 1995 the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley hereby gives notice of its intention to impose the following differential rates and minimum payments on rateable property for 2021/22:

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 27 April 2021, Council accepted the tender submission from ‘Water Features by Design’ (WFBD) to design and construct the new Kununurra Water Playground. The Shire received $3.2 million in funding from the WA Recovery Plan initiative to develop a Water Playground in Kununurra, situated adjacent to the Kununurra Leisure Centre. Expression of Interest to design and construct the Water Playground was advertised at the end of 2020, with six applicants applying, three of which were shortlisted by Council at the February 2021 Ordinary Council Meeting.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is pleased to advise that the Ivanhoe Crossing is now open for public access. The boulders have been removed, and high clearance 4WD vehicles will be able to cross. The Shire would like to remind community members and visitors to be cautious when using the crossing and to drive to the conditions.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is pleased to advise that PathWest has given the Kununurra Leisure Centre an “all-clear” to reopen its 25m pool. Water test results have come back satisfactory, and the Shire will open the pool from today, as per normal hours:

The Kununurra Leisure Centre's 25m pool is set to reopen to the public once PathWest clears water test results. Under WA Health's pool regulations, the Shire is required to ensure PH levels are adequate for community members' safety.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley hosted a “Growing through COVID” community event at Croc Park yesterday. The event was created to recognise how resilient the community was during the COVID19 pandemic last year. Members of the community and students from the Wyndham schools assisted in planting 13 new flame-trees around Croc Park. The Shire also displayed a variety of upcoming projects in Wyndham.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is launching a community scorecard survey on Thursday, 18 March 2021. The scorecard will enable community members to rate the overall satisfaction with Council’s customer service and make comments and suggestions on the broad range of services and facilities the Shire provide, from the maintenance of roads, planning, community services, recreational facilities, footpaths and public open spaces, to rubbish collection, emergency management, communications and everything in between.

In place of the main pool's closure at the Kununurra Leisure Centre, the Shire will provide some alternative swimming locations for community members participating in Swim Club and the Argyle Swim.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley wishes to advise on an update of the pool. Expert contractors have assessed the pool liner damage and have advised that a split in the liner has allowed water to gather between the concrete pool shell and the liner material. This has caused a lift along the edges, much like a pillow, making the pool unsafe for swimming. As a result, the Shire has closed the pool and begun de-watering it in preparation for the repairs.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley wishes to advise that pothole repair works are currently being undertaken, unfortunately, due to heavy rains, works on the potholes were delayed. The recent dry weather has provided good condition for the operational staff to commence work on the maintenance of the roads. Contractors will also be engaged to expedite the progress.

The Department of Health and the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley are warning people living or travelling to regions impacted by recent flooding and heavy rainfall of the increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Tidal storm surges and flooding associated with heavy rains often produce extensive breeding habitat for mosquitoes. The standing water that remains after tidal and floodwaters subside can create an ideal environment for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Acting Medical Entomologist at the Department of Health, Dr Jay Nicholson, said that mosquito numbers and notified cases of Ross River virus (RRV) disease were already above average prior to the recent rainfall event.

Lake Argyle’s Mount Misery has been renamed to its original Miriwoong Aboriginal Dreaming name of Bilbiljim. Land Minister Ben Wyatt granted the name change after a request from the Miriwoong traditional owners. Bilbiljim (pronounced Bil-bil-jim) means ‘grasshopper dreaming’.

The State Government has announced that more Western Australian businesses and premises will be required to maintain contact registers to further strengthen WA’s contact tracing capabilities, should it be required.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley would like to invite community members to comment on the preliminary plan for tree planting in Wyndham. The preliminary plan for tree planting is part of the Shire’s program to revitalise Wyndham’s town centre.

Water Corporation wishes to advise that they will be lowering the level of Lake Kununurra between Friday 29 January to Friday 12 February 2021 (two weeks). The water levels are being reduced to complete essential works and reduce the impact on users as much as possible.

As per the Emergency Management Act Section 72A, the East Kimberley Regional Airport Terminal wishes to advise that from 5 pm, 13 January 2021, it is mandatory to wear a mask upon entering the premises.

At the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley's Ordinary Council Meeting held on 15 December 2020, Council endorsed the recommendation to defer the Melbourne - Kununurra's direct trial flight to 2022. Shire President, Cr David Menzel, said the decision to delay the trial further was not easy. However, due to many factors, including the uncertainty in the interstate borders and the Council's decision to support the State Government's Regional Aviation Recovery Plan, it was the right call to make. "Council have considered all aspects in regards to the benefits and risks of launching the Melbourne to Kununurra direct flight trial in 2021," said Cr Menzel,

In preparation for the Splash Pad Project, demolition of the Kununurra Civic Centre (also known as the Old Shire Offices) is due to commence next week.

Virgin Australia has introduced a Regional Fares Program for residents in rural areas. The program will provide regional residents with access to year-round cheaper flights. Minimum return fares are available from $550 for Kununurra. A $750 maximum capped returned fare has also been introduced as part of this program. The fares are available to residents who are members of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program and have their profile linked to regional address at an eligible location.

The State Government announced a $1.75 million contribution to Kimberley Aboriginal communities for Sport and Recreation projects. Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray made the announcement at the town of Fitzroy Crossing. The funding is provided under the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) administered by the Department of Local Government and Cultural Industries. The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley will receive $591,783 to upgrade change rooms and lighting at Clarrie Cassidy Oval in Wyndham.

The McGowan Government has recently reintroduced a mandatory contact register as an extra precaution to minimise the risk of a COVID-19 community outbreak. Businesses and premises will be required to provide a contact register of patrons. The State Government has also provided a free ‘SafeWA’ app to ensure a more convenient sign-in for businesses and individuals. The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley wishes to advise that the mandatory contact register will begin for all its facilities from Monday 30 November 2020, including:

The State Government’s $600 Household Electricity Credit will be applied by Synergy and Horizon Power this month. The Electricity Credit was announced last month as part of the State’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, providing $644 million of financial relief to 1.1 million WA households. Residents of caravan parks, retirement villages, buildings or communities by local mining companies will also be eligible for the credit.

Following the State Government’s announcement that funding will be provided to build a Water Playground in Kununurra, the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley have explored possible locations and is intending to construct the Water Playground where the old Shire Administration Building is located.

The State Government has recently announced the 2020-21 budget, with a strong focus on funding vital job-creating projects and services that would assist the State’s recovery from the pandemic, particularly in regional WA. Regional families will benefit from the $644 million WA Household Electricity Credit, where each household will receive a $600 electricity credit by the end of the year.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley wishes to remind members of the community that the State government has extended Phase 4 of WA's 'Roadmap to Recovery'. A tentative date to move into Phase 5 has been set to Saturday 24 October 2020. Phase 5 would see remaining restrictions removed, except WA's hard border and access to remote Aboriginal communities. The State government will update and confirm in the coming weeks.

For ratepayers who have selected the four-instalment option, the second instalment reminder notices have been issued and payment is due on 23 October 2020. If you elected to pay via instalments and haven't received your instalment reminder notice please contact the Rates Officer on 08 9168 4100 or email rates@swek.wa.gov.au

On Monday 14 September 2020, Water Corporation and (Miriuwung Gajerrong) MG Corporation officially unveiled the new Ord River Diversion Dam viewing area. The project took over six months to establish and was officially opened by the Water Corporation's General Manager, Barry Ford, and Executive Chair of MG Corporation, Lawford Benning. The viewing area shows a spectacular view of the dam with interpretive signages that explains the history of the Ord River project in English and the native Miriwoong language.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is committed to providing support to not-for-profit organisations, community-based sporting, cultural, environmental, service groups and associations. As part of this commitment, the Shire is pleased to announce that several funding options are now open and additional funding streams will be available from 1 September 2020.