General

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.

The Shire has engaged the services of Heritage Consultant Laura Gray (Heritage Intelligence (WA)) to review the Shire’s Municipal Heritage Inventory and update the document to a Local Heritage Survey, and to prepare a Heritage List that supports the statutory planning framework. Additionally, a Local Planning Policy will be created to protect nominated heritage places within the Shire. While the review will mainly focus on existing heritage sites within the Shire, the Shire welcomes suggestions of new places to be included in the Local Heritage Survey.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley advises that works on the Skate Park at Whitegum Park have been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The Skate Park will be available for public use this weekend during the Saturday Markets.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley would like to advise that the next local government Ordinary Election will be held on 16 October 2021. Councillors are elected for terms of fours years within Western Australia.

The Shire would like to advise that Rates Notices for the 2021/22 Financial Year are due to be sent out the week starting 30 August 2021 with first payments due on 8 October 2021.

Council has adopted the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Corporate Business Plan 2021 – 2025, which sets out the services and projects to be resourced and delivered over the next five-year period. Shire President David Menzel said the document is guided by the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan and Long-Term Financial Plan. It is the Shire’s five-year operational plan detailing services, initiatives and projects that will benefit the community.

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley would like to advise that the Skate Park at White Gum Park will undergo a revamp from Wednesday 4 August 2021 – 13 August 2021.

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.