27 October 2022

Shire President Update

This month Councillor Hayley Palmer and I attended the Mid West Major Project conference in Geraldton. The two-day event showcased major projects, at various stages of development from the Gascoyne down to Eneabba and it was pleasing that four of the projects featured were from our region.

Iluka spoke on their $1 billion Eneabba rare earths refinery that was given the green light by their board in April of this year and representatives from Strike Energy, Infinite Green Energy and Pilot Energy also gave updates on their low carbon energy projects. It seems the world is on the cusp of a green energy revolution and we are thrilled that the Shire of Irwin is playing a major role in our zero carbon future.

The flow on benefits from these projects coming to our region is exponential. All have committed to utilising a local workforce, procuring locally, when possible, and have shown a willing to support local community projects.

With harvest season approaching there will inevitably be more trucks on our roads and I would like to remind everyone to be patient and take extra care during this busy period. It is better to get there late than not get there at all!

Council News

Our Surf Beach stabilisation works have received a boost, with the announcement that the Shire of Irwin had been successful in its application for grant funding through the WA Government’s coastal erosion program.

The CoastWA program provides critical support and funding to coastal management agencies across the State, as they work to mitigate and adapt to the growing impact of coastal erosion.

In 2021 the Shire completed 150 metres of stabilisation to in-situ construction and maintenance works.

The works were completed using a unique local design that had never been attempted before and local contractors. Following the stabilisation, rehabilitation works were undertaken with large amounts of sand brought in to help reshape the dune system. Planting of 2500 young seedlings was then completed, with matting to hold and condition the soil until the new vegetation naturally established into the dune system.

We have received $77,583 in funding which will be used to extend the stabilisation works along Surf Beach.

After many months of judging, we finally can announce the WINNERS of the Shire of Irwin Photo Competition!

Congratulations to all, we were stunned with the amount and quality of all the photos entered!

1st Place - Tracey Ray

2nd Place - Caz Trevenen

3rd Place - Brian Griffiths

4th Place - Sebastian Guendling

Well done to all our winners!

Mark your calendars! Council is pleased to announce that our Magic on Morton event will be returning for another year. The community celebration will be held on the evening of Saturday December 10 on the Terrace. There will be food, free family entertainment and a special appearance by the man in the big, red suit!!

For more information on the event contact Lee at the Shire of Irwin on 9927 0000.

Welcome

We would like to welcome and introduce our new Chief Operating Officer, Ted Roper.

Ted, has joined CEO Shane Ivers, on our senior management team as head of Operations and Finance for the Shire. He is an MBA qualified engineer and spent a large part of his early career working for the Ford Motor Company across their European plants and design centres in a variety of roles including in a management capacity.

After migrating to Australia in 2012, Ted initially worked for Western Power and Bankwest. Most recently, Ted was the Business Improvement Manager with the WA Public Transport Authority, which included delivering a new integrated Work Management Process into the organisation.

If you see Ted please say hello and if you get the chance ask him about his Guinness World Record – that has yet to be broken!

Fire Restrictions in Place

Fire restrictions are now in place. Permits to burn are required during the restricted period and they can be requested through a Fire Control Officer listed on the Firebreak Notice, which can be viewed at www.irwin.wa.gov.au/environment-and-emergency-management/bushfire-management

Burning Periods

RESTRICTED - 15 October to 31 October (inclusive)

PROHIBITED - 1 November to 28 February (inclusive)

RESTRICTED - 1 March to 7 April (inclusive)

Campfires are prohibited - 1 October to 30 April

Under the new Fire Danger Rating System burning cannot be conducted on days of forecasted HIGH fire danger rating.

Firebreaks must be installed and maintained clear of flammable materials from 28 OCTOBER 2022 up to and including 15 APRIL 2023.

Well-maintained firebreaks mean our firefighting crews can access your property and deal with a bushfire emergency safely and efficiently.

Firebreaks are used to help minimise or stop the rapid spread of bushfires by having a gap in the vegetation down to soil level, in which fire is unable to easily leap over or creep across. Effective firebreaks help reduce the risk of fires entering or leaving your property.

You can also help by preparing your home early by cleaning gutters, trimming back trees and by maintaining a low vegetation buffer around your house and outbuildings.

For more information on preparing your home for bushfire season visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au/site/bushfire/overview.html

Industry News

Iluka Resources has won WA’s Golden Gecko award for environmental excellence at its Eneabba mine site thanks to a bespoke seeding machine called Flora Restorer.

Flora uses rollers and "dimpling" techniques developed in the dust bowl of the United States' Mid West to prepare the ground, spread fertiliser and drop seeds.

"And then it rolls a land imprinter over it, creating a dimpled surface before it sprays an artificial soil crust of bitumen emulsion to hold those seeds in place until it rains," Iluka principal rehabilitation scientist Mark Dobrowolski said.

Awarding the Gecko, WA Mines Minister Bill Johnston said the machine had significantly improved the diversity and growth of revegetation in an area with challenging conditions.

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