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   02 December 2022                                                                                                                                 View this email in your browser

Upcoming Meetings

Agenda Briefing - 1pm Tuesday 13 December 2022

Ordinary Council Meeting - 4pm Tuesday 20 December 2022

 


From Your Council


Here's what happened at the Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM) on Tuesday 22 November:

• Council approved a budget amendment of $100,000 for the Flinders Subdivision Redesign to take advantage of contemporary design practices, and achieve a better result for the community. The subdivision was initially developed from a 2005 Structure Plan, however much has changed since then, such as greater demand for small blocks. Revisiting the plans will allow for better design and consideration of how best to release the subdivision (all at once or in stages).

• Council donated a generous 532 lineal meters of Grade 2 Esperance Tanker Jetty timbers for use in a new church, after determining that a request from the Esperance Christian Family met the criteria, including the new building’s connection to the Esperance Tanker Jetty, and how it will be accessible to the community.

• Salmon Gums will soon have an upgraded rest stop next to the revitalised playground, after Council resolved to demolish parts of the old Salmon Gums Hall. The original, heritage listed, Dundas Roads Board building at the front of the old hall, which was built in 1933, will be retained and refurbished. The Shire has a policy of supporting one community building per satellite town, and will continue to maintain the new Salmon Gums Community Centre.

• The 12 month trial of Beam electric scooters is complete and Council voted to approve their 5-year trading permit, subject to a range of conditions. Beam scooters are very popular in Esperance, with the highest per scooter use across Beam’s Australia and New Zealand network. The scooters have enhanced local tourism and economic development, and support for them demonstrates Council commitment to the community’s wish for ‘Shared responsibility for climate action and sustainability’ expressed in the Council Plan.

• The building extension project at the Scaddan Country Club will be handed over to the local community, with Council approving their request to take it on. After Scaddan Hall was destroyed in the 2015 fires, generous funding was provided by BHP and Lotterywest to replace it, and the local community opted to extend the Scaddan Country Club rather than replace the old hall. The project unfortunately stalled during the pandemic, when a tender for the construction attracted no submissions.

• Council resolved to lease Reserve 53801 on the Castletown foreshore to RAC Parks and Resorts (RAC). The building on the site will continue to be used as short-term worker accommodation until RAC starts redevelopment in May 2023, extending their Holiday Park into the Reserve. Much of the site will be taken up by another 20 self-contained chalets in the estimated $7.5 million redevelopment. The existing building is not able to be retained; asbestos has been identified as a major issue. RAC have said they will help with relocation of the building if a community group is interested, or otherwise will dismantle the building and incorporate elements of it into the redevelopment.

All Council Meetings are live streamed, so if you can’t make it in person jump onto the Shire of Esperance YouTube channel to hear what happens, or read Meeting Agendas here
 


Dogs Community Action Day


If you were at the Whale Tail last Saturday you would have seen countless other tails as well – all wagging, as the first Dogs Community Action Day got underway.

This event is a thoughtful initiative from the Shire Rangers to talk to the community about responsible dog ownership.

Three important factors were highlighted on the day - to make sure your dog is registered, microchipped and desexed. The support available to meet these goals was also discussed, with discounted microchipping for those eligible, and sign-ups for the RSPCA Pet Sterilisation Program for Concession Cardholders. Swans Vets ran free health checks, examining weight, heart, respiratory system, ears, nose and throat for an impressive 46 dogs. Also provided free were worm and flea treatments from the RSPCA, dog and cat food from SAFE Esperance, and nail clipping by Doggy Wellness, along with so many other activities like a dog obedience demonstration and training tips, a DIY dog toy workshop, competitions, raffles and many prizes donated by our fantastic community. Next year's Dogs Community Action Day is expected to be even bigger, we're getting excited already!

Community and Careers Expo

The Shire had one of many stalls at MEEDAC’s fantastic inaugural Community & Employment Expo late in November, presenting valuable employment information and prompting enthusiastic feedback.

A drone used to monitor assets was demonstrated, as well as how to use our new employment portal to apply for jobs and have job opportunities automatically emailed to those who signed up for this service. Job seekers spoke to Shire workers from across the organisation about the many roles, traineeships and career pathways at the Shire. Working for the Shire comes with some great benefits, like gym membership at the Leisure Centre, and the ability to co-contribute extra funds to your superannuation, and staff also talked about these benefits, with the aim of attracting good quality staff to serve our community.

HR staff produced clear, step by step instructions on how to write a cover letter, resume and how to address selection criteria – how intimidating is it to address selection criteria when you haven’t applied for a job for awhile! Access these on our website here. This is such a great resource, well done to our HR staff, and another example of how the Shire works to help the community as a whole. 

 

Ward and Representation Review closes 17 Dec

The WA State Government are implementing Local Government electoral reforms, coming into effect at the 2023 elections. The Shire of Esperance currently has nine Councillors, including the President, elected from the Town Ward and the Rural Ward.
These reforms mean the Shire must make the following changes: reduce elected members to a maximum of 8 Councillors; and change from a Council elected President to a voter elected President.

The Shire does have some say on how the reforms are implemented, and we urge the community to read about possible scenarios and tell us what you think (or suggest new ideas!) here. Your feedback will be examined by staff and Councillors, and taken into account when making these important decisions

Submissions may also be made in writing, to reach the Shire by 4pm, 17 December.


Call Out To All Clubs!


Promote your sport or activity and encourage new members by hosting a ‘Have a Go’ day in the January One & All school holiday Program. Requires a 2 hour activity for school aged children, previous participants have successfully increased membership, call Jill on 9071 0609 or email jill.reynolds@esperance.wa.gov.au.


Christmas Retail Trading Hours


The Department of Commerce have approved additional trading hours and days through the Christmas/New Year period. A full list of available trading hours for retail shops may be found on the Shire website here.

It is important to note that retailers are not required to open during any of these times and those that have a small or special retail shop certificate are not governed by these trading hour restrictions.
 

Christmas Pageant Coming Up
 

We’re getting excited! Applications to participate in the 2022 Parade have been extended, all details here. The Veteran’s Car Club of Esperance have put up $200 in prize money for the best new float to travel along the new Pageant route, Santa will be at the parade and available for photos at the Museum Village after (please bring your own camera), the Museum Village Markets will be on from 3pm, and the Shire is putting on a free movie for the community at the Sound Shell from 7pm – rug up to see A Boy Called Christmas under the stars. We can’t wait to see you there!


Work With the Shire!


The Shire of Esperance is a fantastic place to work a diverse range of career options, attractive remuneration and a relaxed lifestyle in one of the most picturesque locations in Australia.  We strive to make our town a fantastic place to live and work and aim to provide our community with excellent facilities and services. If you want to make a positive contribution to your community we encourage you to apply to work with us.
Click here for Current Vacancies at the Shire of Esperance

Upcoming Shows at the Esperance Civic Centre

The Esperance Civic Centre is the premier entertainment and multi-function complex for the Shire of Esperance and is a valuable asset for the Esperance community. The Centre is host to plenty of entertainment for you and the family. 

To purchase tickets for a show please visit the Shire Administration Office, Esperance Public Library, Esperance Visitor Centre or online. 

Give a gift where your loved ones can dance along to some tunes, laugh until they cry, or be swept away in the magic of a great story. Gift Vouchers are now available and can be purchased in person at the Shire Administration Office or over the phone.

Volunteers of the Civic Centre

The Volunteers of the Esperance Civic Centre are a group of passionate supporters of the performing arts in Esperance and regularly assist with ushering, front of house management, ticket selling and bar work. Talk to us next time you are at the Civic Centre about joining the Volunteers of the Civic Centre.

Click here for upcoming shows at the Esperance Civic Centre
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Shire of Esperance      T: (08) 9071 0666      F: (08) 9071 0600      PO Box 507 Esperance, WA 6450 


The Shire of Esperance acknowledges the Kepa Kurl Wudjari people of the Nyungar nation and Ngadju people who are the Traditional Custodians of this land and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and we extend that respect to other Aboriginal Australians today.
 
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