07 December 2023

Shire President Update

With the bushfire season well and truly here and the season expected to last six months, concerns are already being raised about the pressure on our volunteer firefighters. This is why I urge you to ensure your bushfire preparedness is complete.

The Shire has been busy undertaking bushfire risk mitigation works, including slashing and mulching. However, if you see any areas of concern, please contact the Shire Admin office.

Firebreaks should be installed by now and need to be maintained until April 15. Well-maintained firebreaks mean our firefighting crews can access your property and deal with a bushfire emergency safely and efficiently.

Firebreaks can 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 may 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

I would also ask you to consider creating a bushfire plan to help keep you and your family safe. Creating a bushfire plan is one of the most critical and valuable things you can do, and you can complete it in just 15 minutes.

Go to https://mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au/ for help to prepare a plan.

Every year, our volunteer bushfire brigade officers demonstrate remarkable commitment to our safety, and I commend them wholeheartedly for their outstanding work. Their selfless dedication to our community is truly appreciated. Our sincere gratitude goes to Geoff Crabb who has recently retired after years of service as Chief Bushfire Officer. I extend my thanks to Geoff for his enduring commitment and hard work. At the same time, we enthusiastically welcome Peter Summers back to this crucial role. Peter, a recipient of a DFES Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award, which is the highest individual honour one can receive as a Bush Fire Service volunteer, has served our community as a volunteer firefighter and in the role of Chief Bushfire Officer for many years and we are so pleased to welcome him back to this significant role.

Council News

The Surf Beach Stabilisation Project was a Council initiative that began in mid 2019 as an attempt to solve the massive erosion problem at Surf Beach that was threatening road infrastructure and assets.

Using a unique local design that had never been attempted before and local contractors, the Shire completed 150m of stabilisation and maintenance works.

Stage One involved stabilisation and rehabilitation works with large amounts of sand brought in to help reshape the dune system. The reconstructed gentle slope assisted in minimising wind erosion and with the aid of biodegradable mesh matting, effectively aided moisture retention and promoted healthy plant growth.

During Stage 2 of the project Shire staff planted 2500 young seedlings with the matting providing support to hold and condition the soil until the new vegetation naturally established into the dune system.

Now with Stage 3 we have continued the successful Surf Beach stabilisation efforts a further 80 metres northwards, mitigating the risk of any further erosion.

The Surf Beach stabilisation project was funded through a $250,000 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grant secured in the 2020-21 Federal Budget and through the WA Government’s CoastWA program that 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.

Irwin Districts Charity Ball

The Irwin Districts Charity Ball started in 2015 with a simple idea and a text message between friends.

Fiona Cockman, her sister Dana and Sheryl Hobbs decided to come together and create a fun community event, with the hope of raising a few dollars for charity.

This year the Irwin Charity Ball raised a whopping $72,000!

Vice President Sheryl Hobbs said the original idea was to run an event to bring the community together.

“We wanted it to be an accessible, affordable event everyone in the community could enjoy and at the same time raise money for charity,” Sheryl explained.

This year the Irwin District Charity Ball has been named a finalist in the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry- MWCCI Business Excellence Awards in the “Excellence in Community (NFP & Charity)” category.

Sheryl said to have their hard work acknowledged was incredible but that none of it would have been possible without the support they had received from the community over the years.

“I need to thank our amazing Committee, sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and all the incredible supporters who make this happen! We couldn’t do it without each and every one of them.”

The funds raised at the Irwin Charity Ball go to Ronald McDonald House Charities WA and the Cancer Council WA.

For more information on next year’s ball or on how you can help visit the Irwin District Charity Ball Facebook page.

Beach Emergency Number Signs

We have installed BEN signs across the Shire from the coastal nodes up to Seven Mile Beach.

BEN stands for Beach Emergency Number. Each BEN sign has a unique code based on an area prefix followed by a one-to-four-digit number. This code is linked to the coordinates for the sign's location. The official location name (if there is one), the address, suburb and nearest intersection are also on each sign.

This information is integrated into computer aided dispatch systems used by emergency services (ambulance, police, and fire crews).

Quoting the information on the nearest BEN sign helps emergency services accurately pinpoint the location of the emergency. BEN signs may also be referred to when reporting shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600.

When visiting the beach, take note of the closest BEN sign location and information.

For more information visit https://www.sharksmart.com.au/staying-safe/faq-ben-signs/

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