Your Boyup Brook Shire Council Matters
Welcome to the latest Council news items and information on
‘what’s going on at your shire’!
The following meeting dates and times apply for the 2019 year:
Residents and Ratepayers are welcome to attend the Briefing Session which commences at 3.30pm and the Ordinary Council meeting which commences at 5.00pm in the Council Chambers.
12 December 2019
Council Minutes
Please see the minutes at the front counter or on the website from the Council Meetings held in 2019.
Community Christmas Celebrations - Please note change of date!
Wednesday 4th December 2019 at Abel Park behind the Visitor Centre, Corner Abel and Bridge Streets.
Activities start around 2.30pm - 6.00pm with Carols, Bouncy Castle, Christmas Markets, Sausage Sizzle, Ice Creams and Father Christmas.
Pool Opening Hours
Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 6pm. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 12noon to 6pm. The Swimming Pool will be closed on Christmas Day.
Australia Day Celebrations
Council will host an Australian day Breakfast on 26th January 2020. An open invitation is extended to all residents. The breakfast will start at 8am with a flag raising ceremony in Sandakan Park. The activities will include a presentation to the winner of the Citizen of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year, Young Achiever of the Year and the Kevin Henderson Memorial Award for volunteers.
Christmas Hours
Shire Administration Office will be closed from 23/12/2019 to 01/01/2020 inclusive.
The ‘Old Saleyards’ Site – Bridgetown Boyup Brook Road
The ‘Old Saleyards’ site is currently zoned ‘Rural’ in accordance with the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme No.2. The Shire is considering undertaking a process, to change the zone in-order to enable better use of the site.
At this early stage in the planning for the site, the Shire wishes to herby invite members of the community and business operators to put forward ideas for suitable land-use and/or development options for the site (e.g. transport depot, builders yard, warehouse, panel beating, light manufacturing industry).
Submissions may be emailed to shire@boyupbrook.wa.gov.au or in writing on or before the 17th January 2020.
For further information, please contact Adrian Nicoll on 0408 777 010.
Rylington Park
Council has called for public submissions in relation to the future use of the Rylington Park property. Submissions may be emailed to shire@boyupbrook.wa.gov.au or in writing on or before the 17th January 2020.
Ranger Report
Do you have a plan if there is a fire at your property or close by?
Please check the DFES website at www.dfes.wa.gov.au to down load an Emergency Alert Telephone Warning System notification and access resources for preparing your home in case of a fire.
If you aren’t an internet user you can call 939 59 816 for resources.
Emergency Alert is one way of receiving information during an emergency, other ways you can stay informed are:
- Visiting the Emergency WA website emergency.wa.gov.au
- Calling DFES information on 13 DFES (133337)
- Listening to ABC radio, 6PR and other media bulletins
Thanks to everyone’s efforts to ensure their blocks are compliant during the prohibited burning times.
The Shire are updating cat and dog records. Please make sure your pets registration is current and that they have contact details on their collar.
Rabbit Virus
The Shire are mapping town site release areas for the RHDV1 K5 February 2020 . If you are aware of a rabbit warren in town please contact the ranger on 9765 1200 to share the exact location. We are looking for warrens on the outskirts of town predominantly now. If you have a pet rabbit they can be vaccinated against this virus (they will have immunity between five and nine weeks depending on their age). Collie Veterinary Services have a discounted day for rabbits next month.
Presidents Post
Firstly I would like to welcome our new CEO, Mr Chris Smith. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge to the position having completed 4 years as a CEO with Franklin Harbour council in South Australia and previously held high executive positions at International Corporate level driving some very innovative projects through to completion. As a born and bred Western Australian, we welcome Chris and Jen to Boyup Brook and look forward to a prosperous association with our Shire.
In this correspondence, I have 3 major issues to discuss.
- Biosecurity Levy imposed payment
If you have not already received a notice to pay for Biosecurity management to allow the Blackwood Biosecurity Inc State Government and Department of Primary Industries endorsed 'Recognised Biosecurity Group' to administer biosecurity controls in our shire, you soon will. As you know the Shire Council has strongly opposed this course of action since its inception in early 2017 and I have corresponded directly with the Minister on 3 separate occasions, with two less than satisfactory responses leading to this action. The Council does not support the model of RGB's to control biosecurity issues within Boyup Brook citing Governance issues, the State Governments lack of control measures on its own land and the poor consultation that has occurred from the BBI prior to their formation and on matters affecting landowners locally currently, to name just a few reasons.
This matter calls for an urgent Public Meeting to be held in the town hall on 10th December 2019 (time to be advised). I urge you to be there as this is our opportunity to stand united on a very important issue affecting us all.
- Rylington Park, Community Asset.
The management of Rylington Park has recently come under the microscope with the previous Governments intentions to amalgamate local governments. This action failed to occur although it is felt by the council that in time another approach will be taken as the State Parliament has a non official bipartisan position on amalgamations occurring to reduce the number of Local Governments. The Rylington Park facility is a community owned asset and has been very well managed by a management committee, seeing the farm prosper in recent times and indeed raising awareness on many contemporary issues facing agriculture ie. OH&S and rural wellbeing, best practice farming management principals as well as holding events for both women and men as part of annual social and information gatherings.
With the current lease due to be renegotiated early in 2020, it is time for the community to have a say on the future of Rylington Park.
It is the Shire Councils intention to safeguard the asset and to perhaps see a greater return back to the community to allow the whole of the community to realize the benefits from your asset.
The Shire is seeking submissions on the future of Rylington Park to be able to plan the facilities purpose and direction entering a new era. Please give this some thought over the next few weeks and deliver submissions in writing to the customer service desk in the Shire Administration Building. Also please note that this is the preferred method of communication with your Shire Council as issues can then be registered and followed up on.
- Old Saleyard site development.
The saleyard site has now been preliminarily prepared for a further economic use. The Council is initially seeking submissions from local businesses to conduct Light Industrial and Commercial endeavours on the site, individual requirements will be assessed before structured planning commences.
It is envisaged that tailored lots can be made available to interested parties and consultation with such entities is being sought from the Administration. Please advise the Shire of your intentions by placing submissions in writing (preferably prior to the February council meeting) at the customer service reception in the Shire Administration building.
There has been a long time push to develop this site with this intention, so now it is time to make this happen and create a new precinct.
In closing, from myself, the Councillors and Staff of the Boyup Brook Shire, wish you all a safe and rewarding Christmas and New Year period and look forward to an exciting and challenging year ahead.
Information is from the December 2019 Gazette