Shire President Update
I am pleased to announce the re-appointment of Shane Ivers as CEO of the Shire of Irwin for another five years. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Shane for his dedicated service over the initial five years and congratulate him on this well-deserved reappointment.
Shane’s steady management of the Shire’s finances has been instrumental in maintaining our fiscal health. Under his leadership, we have successfully rebuilt our depot capacity and enhanced our road maintenance capabilities. His professional approach to governance has ensured the smooth operation and progress of our community initiatives.
The Council is excited to continue working with Shane and looks forward to the next five years of growth and development for the Shire of Irwin.
A few weeks ago, I have the privilege of attending the presentations for the opening of the Dongara Golf Club’s Winter Season Stableford event. The Shire of Irwin sponsored the event and it was my pleasure to present the prizes to the winners. Congratulations to all involved and the best of luck for the season ahead.
The Shire of Irwin has proposed a 5% increase in rates revenue, which is 0.9% lower than the 2023/24 increase. This adjustment reflects the current CPI of 3.5% and a 1.5% increase to achieve a balanced budget, ensuring the Shire can continue providing essential services and projects to the community.
GRV valuations have increased by an average of 33.97% since the last Landgate valuation in 2019, and UV valuations have risen by approximately 21.52% since 2023.
We understand the impact of cost-of-living pressures on our community. To address this, we’ve kept the rate rise as low as possible, despite significant inflationary and cost pressures on the Shire’s budget.
Over the past six years, we have averaged a 3.6% increase in rates, with no rate rises during the COVID period. Each year, the Council works diligently to minimize rate increases while ensuring sufficient income to cover rising costs of materials, contracts, fuel, electricity, insurance, and labour.
Rates are levied on all rateable properties to fund community services and facilities, with approximately 2730 rateable properties within the Shire. Rates revenue constitutes about 65-70% of the Council’s total operating revenue.
To minimize rate payments, the Council and Shire staff actively seek additional revenue from sources such as fees, charges, and capital grants. It is important to remember that your rates allow us to deliver essential services and projects, including the maintenance of infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, street lighting, bushland, river, and foreshores. Bin collections and operation of the Transfer Station and community and recreation services, including libraries, youth facilities, parks, and reserves.
We understand the current financial pressure that many in our community are under, as such Council has processes in place to assist those struggling to pay their rates.
For more information you can go to https://www.irwin.wa.gov.au/council/rating-information.
Council News
With the recent departure of one of our sitting Councillors the Shire will hold an Extraordinary Postal Election on July 12 via a postal vote.
For postal elections, postal election packages (ballots) will be mailed out around 4 weeks before the election day.
Completed ballots must be returned to the WA Electoral Commission by 6pm on election day. Ballots received after this time won’t be counted. If it’s too late to post, you can hand deliver your election package to the Shire Admin office on election day.
If you misplace or damage your postal election package, you can visit the Shire Admin office for a replacement package. Don’t forget to bring your ID.
For more information on the Extraordinary Postal Election or to see our candidate profiles visit here.
We are pleased to announce the introduction of Agenda Forums.
The Agenda Forums will replace the Agenda Briefing Session. The Forums are open to the public and will take place at 5:00pm one week before the Ordinary Council Meeting.
The Agenda Forums provide the community with an opportunity to observe and understand items requiring Council approval at the monthly Ordinary Council Meeting.
For more information visit here.
Irwin Rec Centre News
We have several new activities on at the Irwin Recreation Centre. Get your skates on because Tuesday afternoon roller-skating is back! Each week from 3.00pm to 5.30pm. $5.00 per skater per hour. Bring your own skates or hire some of ours!
Starting Tuesday, June 4 we will be playing social badminton and pickleball. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. and is quickly gaining popularity in Australia. It combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, making it perfect for all ages and skill levels.
The benefits of pickleball include improved cardiovascular fitness, enhanced coordination and agility, better concentration and reduced stress and social bonding and teamwork.
Come and be part of the fun every Tuesday morning at 9:30 AM. The cost is $7.00 per player and equipment is provided.
A new season of mixed volleyball is just around the corner!! From next term, every Wednesday at 6pm we will be firing up the courts for this fantastic competition.
Don’t miss out! Get your team together and register ASAP!! Minimum of 6 players per team.
Send an email to lsmith@irwin.wa.gov.au to register by Friday June 28.
Containers for Change
Thank you to the amazing Shire of Irwin community for embracing the Containers for Change WA deposit scheme incentive!
Over the past few months, we’ve seen a fantastic surge in the number of containers being deposited. However, along with this increase, we’ve also noticed a rise in the number of containers with lids still on and household rubbish (like food scraps) being left in bags and bins.
Just a friendly reminder from the Shire of Irwin CDS team: containers with lids on or bags containing household rubbish won’t be processed meaning you will not receive any cash for these donations.
Your help ensuring our CDS staff can avoid handling rotting food and other unpleasant waste, and removing lids to keep the flow of cans and bottles running smooth through the system is very much appreciated!
BreastScreen coming to town
BreastScreen WA’s FREE screening mammogram service is coming to Irwin Rec Centre from June 13 until July 9.
Bookings are now open. You can book online at https://www.breastscreen.health.wa.gov.au/…/Book-Online/ or by calling 13 20 50.
Women 40 years and over with no symptoms are eligible for a FREE screening mammogram.
Breast cancer is the most common life-threatening cancer for women and 1 in 7 women in Australia will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
Having a screening mammogram (breast x-ray) every two years significantly increases the chance of a woman surviving breast cancer and reduces the amount of treatment required. More than 75% of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50. Research shows that screening is most effective for this age group.
For more information visit www.breastscreen.health.wa.gov.au
