12 March 2024

Shire President Update

I have the unfortunate job this month of informing the community of the upcoming temp closure of the Cliffhead, Freshwater Point and Knobby Head campsites.

From mid-April, the section of Indian Ocean Drive between Eneabba-Coolimba Road and Brand Highway will be temporarily closed to through traffic, meaning it will be impossible to access the campsites.

The closure is to allow for the completion of Stage Two of the Indian Ocean Drive Improvement Works project, which will see the construction of two passing lanes (one northbound and one southbound), 33 kilometres of widening, the installation of audible edge lines and realignment of crests and curves.

The Shire CEO and myself have requested Main Roads to retain access to the campsites, however they have advised that the whole section of road must be closed.

The works are expected to last until November.  Access will be retained for residents, businesses and emergency services.

If you would like more information about the works you can go to the Main Roads website at https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/ or call them on 138 138.

You may have recently noticed an influx of corellas into town. These birds cause a tremendous amount of damage and have the potential to decimate our heritage listed fig trees.

Measures to control this seasonal influx of corellas will be undertaken in various locations within the next few weeks.

These measures will involve the use of pyrotechnic cartridges that can be quite loud and shocking so I invite community members to register now for “SMS” notifications of when and where the program will be taking place.

If you would like to register to be notified by “SMS” 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the deployment of the pyrotechnic cartridges please contact Shire Administration on 9927 0000 or email reception@irwin.wa.gov.au

For further information please contact the Community Ranger on 0427 110 237 or email ranger@irwin.wa.gov.au

We are very fortunate to share our bush, and often our homes, with a lot of wildlife including large breeding pythons such as this incredible pair recently photographed by Jeanie Lennard in Bonniefield.

Unfortunately, when they cross our roads to access bush on the other side, they are at high risk of being hit by cars as they are very slow moving. These gentle creatures do great things in our natural environment and with raised awareness, perhaps a shift of the mindset that “a good snake is a dead snake” these quiet snakes can go about their business safely, on the lookout for the occasional mouse.

Restricted Burning Period has now commenced!

 Just a reminder that the Restricted Burning Period has now commenced! Reducing fuel increases the chances of your property surviving a bushfire.

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 https://www.irwin.wa.gov.au/environme.../bushfire-management

Burning Periods are as follows:

RESTRICTED - 1 March to 7 April

UNRESTRICTED - 8 April to 14 October

RESTRICTED - 15 October to 31 October

PROHIBITED - 1 November to 28 February

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 29 OCTOBER 2023 up to and including 15 APRIL 2024.

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

Free Food Safety Course

The Shire of Irwin is now providing a mandatory Food Safe online course free for all food businesses and residents.

The National Food Safety Standard requires people working with food to have skills and knowledge of food hygiene matters.

In accordance with the new National Food Safety Standard 3.2.2A – Food Safety Management Tool, which was introduced in December last year, all Australian businesses in food service, catering and retail sectors that handle unpackaged, potentially hazardous food that is ready to eat must undertake food safety training.

Generally, this includes caterers, restaurants, cafes, takeaway shops, pubs, supermarkets and delis, food vans and other facilities serving food. All staff (including chefs, cooks and waiters) in category two business are required to complete food handler training course.

The standard has introduced three food safety management tools for businesses. The three tools include:

1. Requirement to complete food handler training course,

2. Requirement to appoint a qualified food safety supervisor; and

3. Requirement to show that the food is safe.

You can access the course at www.foodsafeonline.com.authen enter the code FSRWN242 on the payment page and for the $35.00 discount to be applied.

A certificate will be available to print and download once the course is successfully completed.

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