07 October 2021

October is set to be a big month with local government elections taking place on Saturday October 16.

There are four Council vacancies to be filled and the nominees are Isabelle Scott, Barry Wyse, Elyce Tunbridge, Mark Leonard and Kellie Wilson.

Election Packages have been sent to all electors on the local government electoral roll. Completed postal voting packages can be returned either via post or hand delivery, either way, your package must reach the Returning Officer by 6.00pm on election day, Saturday, 16 October 2021.

If you choose to return your completed package via the post, please post your vote early to ensure it reaches the Returning Officer on time.

You can hand deliver your package to an electoral officer at the Shire of Irwin, 11 Waldeck Street, Dongara during business hours before election day or at the polling place in the district between 8.00am and 6.00pm on election day. The count of votes will commence at 6.00pm at the Shire of Irwin Council Chambers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the candidates who have nominated, serving on Council is often a thankless role, your dedication to the community is commendable.

I strongly encourage all residents to take the time and have your say in the 2021 local government elections. With your vote you are helping to shape the future of the Shire of Irwin. For more information visit www.irwin.wa.gov.au

The Moreton Terrace asphalting from the Highway back through Point Leander Drive roundabout has been completed and kerbing is now underway. Paving of this section is due to start next week. Additional asphalting improvement jobs around town are expected to be completed by the end of this week.

Some short intermittent road closures will still be necessary, however disruptions will be kept to a minimum and the roadway will remain open whenever it is safe to do so.

Following the completion of the road works further traffic improvements will take place. These include extensive line marking, installation of signage, and reconfiguration of parking bays in key locations.

I would like to once again reiterate and acknowledge the Shire of Irwin CEO Shane Ivers and his staff who have worked tremendously hard to make this project happen, and to thank the community for their cooperation during these works.

Further information regarding the Moreton Terrace Upgrade is available on the Shire of Irwin website and regular updates are posted on the Shire Facebook page.

Last weekend the towns of Dongara and Port Denison swelled with over 5500 people attending the 2021 Midwest Show and Shine and Denison Foreshore Sprint.

We were treated to a remarkable display of driver skill in the timed racing event and were able to view some spectacular vehicles at the Midwest Show and Shine.

The Shire of Irwin staff were instrumental in facilitating and organising this event and I commend all those involved for their hard work. This is a significant event for the Shire, bringing considerable economic benefits, which is why the Council supports it so strongly.

I would like to thank everyone who helped make the event so successful – the participants, staff who gave up their weekend to help, the volunteers, marshals, track officials and spectators.

To cater for the influx of visitors to town the overflow camping was opened for the long weekend. It is wonderful to see local businesses benefiting from another busy school holiday period and with the RV Overnight Stay camping reopened at the Dongara Town Oval, it is pleasing that we can still cater for our short stay visitors even when at capacity.

I would also like to offer a warm welcome to all the new contractors we currently have working within the Shire on several new projects, one of them being the construction of the new plant that forms part of Stage 2 of Mitsui’s Waitsia gas field project. I hope your stay is enjoyable and our hospitality lives up to your expectation.

Finally it is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the passing of past Shire of Irwin President Henry Dempster who passed away last week. Henry was a much loved and dedicated member of our community. He served on the Shire of Irwin Council from 1975 to 1996, and as Shire President from 1984 until 1990. He was also President and a Life Member of the Dongara Irwin Race Club. On behalf of everyone at the Shire of Irwin I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family.

As ratepayers, I urge you to please continue to liaise with Councillors if you have any concerns or equally any expressions of support you wish to convey as we continue to work to deliver the best possible outcomes for our community.