Shire President Update
At a Special Meeting held this month Council voted to adopt the 2023/2024 Annual Budget.
Each financial year Council thoroughly and thoughtfully prepares a new budget to support the growing needs of our entire community. While Council and Shire staff work hard to leverage as much revenue from other sources as possible, including fees and charges, capital grants and contributions, rates revenue accounts for approximately 65-70% of Council’s total operating revenue.
This year’s Budget has been formulated, with much consideration to ensure the continued delivery of services while allowing for the implementation of infrastructure projects. I commend our Shire CEO and Staff who have managed to produce a balanced (minor surplus) budget in these difficult times, when costs have increased in some areas by as much as 30%.
This year Council resolved a 5.9% rate raise in their 2023/24 Budget to continue to deliver high quality services and projects to the community. The Budget includes a significant increase in capital works expenditure. This extra allocation will allow us to undertake projects that are a key priority for the community such as the ongoing upgrades and maintenance grading of the entire unsealed, rural road network.
On behalf of the Council and Staff I would like to thank our ratepayers for supporting our Shire.
With major projects and industry progressing within our region we are excited about economic and social opportunities this year may bring.
Book Week Celebrations
We are so lucky to have some incredible people in our community who are willing to go above and beyond for others.
This month our amazing library volunteers Janette, Noni and Gwyn worked very hard to make Book Week extra special for our visitors from Dongara District High School’s kindy and pre-primary classes.
Janette, Noni and Gwyn decorated the library, donned some incredible costumes, danced, read and sung with the kids.
Thank you, ladies, for your outstanding efforts, you made some of our youngest community members very happy!
Sprint Help Needed
The 2023 Denison Foreshore Sprint and Midwest Show and Shine is just around the corner on Sunday 24 September, and we desperately need volunteer marshals to support the event.
Please contact Mikayla on 9927 0000 if you are able to volunteer a few hours on the day.
Green Waste Burn Off
The stockpile of green waste at the Transfer Station has reached capacity and requires a scheduled burn off.
These burn offs are an efficient cost saving measure for the Council. In the past we have paid to have a mulcher brought in twice a year to deal with the green waste, however due to a significant increase in the amount of green waste we are receiving this is no longer viable.
DFES, Volunteer Brigade and Shire Officers will be in attendance during the activity. The burn off will occur sometime in August/September subject to favourable weather conditions. Notice will be given via the Shire’s Facebook page 24 hours prior to the event.
As the stack to be burnt is large the Transfer Station could be closed for 48 hours. The Container Deposit Scheme will remain open during the burn (subject to wind direction).
Please call 9927 0000 or email reception@irwin.wa.gov.au for further information.
Industry Update
The WA government will restrict exports from future gas projects in the Perth Basin under an updated domestic gas policy.
The policy update for the Perth and Canning Basin would safeguard and secure supply while supporting long-term economic and industrial development in the state, the government said.
“To ensure domestic energy security, the WA Government will not consider exemptions from the WA Domestic Gas Policy for onshore gas developments on the existing pipeline network to export LNG, including those in the Perth Basin,” the online statement said.
Gas from the existing liquefied natural gas pipeline is for WA industry and consumers only.
The industry said the decision to pre-empt findings of a gas inquiry and announce changes that would curb investment in new onshore gas supply was “extremely disappointing”.
The state needs more gas supply to meet growing demand as coal shuts down and new mineral processing industries emerge, according to the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.
Report courtesy of the West Australian Newspaper
