General

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley would like to advise that the 2021 reseal program will commence from Monday 19 July until Saturday 24 July 2021.

The Kununurra Agricultural Show is happening this weekend, and we are looking forward to all the great food, activities and fireworks. Unfortunately, loud noises (particularly fireworks) can cause serious anxiety and stress for some animals. The Shire Rangers would like to remind pet owners to take extra precautions to create a safe and secure space for their pets. The Shire Rangers have compiled a few tips to help ease your pets' fears:

In accordance with Section 5.4 (a)(i) of the Local Government Act 1995, the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley wishes to inform the public of two Special Council Meetings held this month:

Do you know how your rates are calculated? Answer correctly and thanks to The West Australian and WALGA, they are giving ten lucky households the chance to have their Council rates paid for a year! 💰

Due to high passenger capacity in and out of Kununurra on these flights and congestion in the terminal, the following check-in times need to be implemented to allow ample time for airport staff to complete your check-in, security checks, baggage loading and boarding. By getting to the airport early, it will allow for on-time departures from Kununurra.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley would like to advise that the air-conditioning at the Kununurra Leisure Centre’s sports hall is temporarily out of service. The Shire is working on rectifying the situation promptly.

The Shire is now offering Ratepayers the option to receive their Annual Rates notices via email. For the 2021/22 Financial Year, the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley will be trialling the option of Ratepayers being able to receive their Annual Rates Notice via email rather than post.

The State Government has announced a $12.5 million funding available under the latest Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) grants. The grant is aimed to encourage more participation in sport and recreation through the development of basic infrastructures. Community groups can apply for grants for new or upgraded playing surfaces, change rooms, ablutions, and sports storage.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is reviewing the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) and is seeking community members and local disability/elderly groups feedback and suggestions. The current DAIP was created in 2017, and many of the actions and outcomes have been completed. We are now looking for new barriers within our Shire that should be addressed in the review. The Shire will hold a meeting in the Kununurra Council Chambers on Wednesday 9 June at 4 pm to establish a Disability Access and Inclusion Committee. The Shire aims to create links between people with disabilities, the government and the community, including business, that will help to create Western Australia as an accessible community. The Committee will be ongoing once the review is completed, aiming to provide advice for future projects.

You are invited to have your say on the Shire's planned activities over the next five years by providing input to refine the projects highlighted in the 2021-2025 Corporate Business Plan. The have your say - Open House Event will run between 12pm - 3pm in Wyndham on 16 June 2021, and Kununurra on 17 June 2021. Locations mentioned in the infographic below.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley's President, David Menzel, took his COVID-19 vaccination today at the Wunan COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic.

In accordance with Section 5.4 (b) of the Local Government Act 1995, the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley wishes to inform the public of a Special Council Meeting taking place on Tuesday 1 June 2021 at 5 pm at the Kununurra Council Chambers.

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.