04 July 2022

Shire President Update

I would like to bring your attention to some very exciting announcements from industry, which could present incredible opportunities for our Shire into the future.

Most recently Strike Energy announced their plan to move their Project Haber urea fertilizer plant project from Narngulu in Geraldton to South Erregulla.

This project will be hugely economically beneficial to our region with hundreds of jobs on offer and many opportunities for local business. Strike have already expressed a commitment to employing a local workforce and local procurement.

Another big announcement made recently was from Infinite Green Energy (formerly Infinite Blue Energy) who have received two Expressions of Interest from the UK Government to support their Arrowsmith and Northam green hydrogen projects to the tune of A$300 million.

Once up and running the Arrowsmith Hydrogen Plant stage 1 will produce 25 tonnes (25,000kg) of green hydrogen per day using renewable energy from solar and wind.

Shire Councillors and staff have been working diligently behind the scenes, putting plans in place, so that we as a Shire, may grow alongside these projects.

We are consistently consulting with these organisations to ensure the benefits of these projects flow to all members of our community.

Council News

Stage two of Two Henry Road has now been completed, the construction of a further six independent living units was the result of a collaboration between the Shire of Irwin and the WA Country Health Service.

Two Henry Road is an independent living community, designed to meet the needs of seniors and support aging in place. The project forms part of the WACHS $26 million Residential and Dementia Investment Strategy to support older people, to remain independent and within their communities.  

The facility features dementia friendly design and is located opposite the Dongara Health Service, Accident and Emergency Department and visiting allied health rooms.

Henry Road Stage two features and additional six age-friendly homes. The first six Two Henry Road independent living units were officially opened by Shire President, Mike Smith on September 2, 2020.

Mitigation Works

Earlier this year it was announced that the Shire of Irwin had received a $250, 000 Mitigation Activity Fund Grant.

The Western Australian government established the Mitigation Activity Fund Grants Program (MAFGP) to reduce bushfire hazards that present a high risk to assets throughout the State. The program supports local governments with endorsed Bushfire Risk Management Plans to treat bushfire risk in their communities on State land that they manage.

The funding allows the Shire to undertake 24 fire mitigation treatments such as mulching and slashing.

As part of our Bushfire Risk Management Plans the Shire has purchased a posi track machine, an essential piece of equipment in the fight against bushfires and has upskilled staff. Allowing us to meet the current and future needs of bushfire risk management within the Shire.

Over the next five months our team will be working to complete the remainder of the treatments in key areas along Kailis Drive, Springfield and within the Dongara and Port-Denison townsite.

Individual property owners living near planned works will receive information from the Shire regarding activity in their area.

Many of these treatments are to ensure easy access for our volunteer firefighters so they can undertake safe firefighting operations quickly and efficiently.

Property owners are also encouraged to take advantage of the cooler months to plan and prepare for our next fire season.

If you need assistance or information about how to prepare your property, please get in contact with the Shire.

Book your Breastscreen

One in seven women in Australia will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The best time to treat breast cancer is when it is still very small. Having regular mammograms through Breastscreen WA is one of the best things you can do to detect breast cancer early and improve your chance of survival.

BreastScreen WA’s mobile breast screening truck is in town until July 14 at the Irwin Rec Centre – this is a FREE service available to all women aged 40 years and over.

Book now to get your free screening mammogram! Call 13 20 50 or book online at www.breastscreen.health.wa.gov.au

Industry Update

Strike Energy have announced their plan to move their Project Haber urea fertilizer plant project to South Erregulla.

Project Haber would replace Australia’s reliance on more than $1 billion of fertiliser imports each year, by providing a locally produced, top quality fertiliser that would improve Australian agriculture’s competitiveness and reduce the carbon intensity of Australian farming.

The company has entered into a binding agreement to purchase 3,500 ha of freehold farming land in the Shire of Three Springs, in which Strike’s 100% owned South Erregulla gas discoveries and carbon sequestration reservoirs sit below.

Strike plan to create a low carbon integrated energy and industrial manufacturing centre, to be called the Mid West Low Carbon Manufacturing Precinct.

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