SHIRE

GINGIN

Council to the CommunityJanuary 2016

Welcome to another year and the Shire of Gingin is pleased once again to be part of several fantastic community events being held over the summer.

Music in the Park – Gabbadah Park, GuildertonSaturday 16 January from 5.30pm – 10.30pmJoin us in Guilderton for an exciting night of live rock and roll with Twenty Feet Beat, face painting and bouncy castle fun for the kids.

8th Annual Sandcastle Competition – Ledge PointLedge Point Swimming Beach – between the groynes, Sunday 24 January from 9.30am – 12.30pmIncludes sausage sizzle at the Ledge Point Country Club.

Australia Day EventOn Tuesday 26 January 2016 the Shire will once again host the Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards, details as follows:

Where: Neergabby GroundsWhen: Free breakfast at 7.30am and official proceedings at 9.00am

This is a wonderful family-friendly event with a fun waterslide planned for the kids.

Further Council information is available on gingin.wa.gov.au or at Shire of Gingin, 7 Brockman Street, Gingin WA 6503Telephone: 08 9575 2211 Facsimile: 08 9575 2121 Email: mail@gingin.wa.gov.au

Congratulations Sam on your recent election as Deputy Shire President. What issues are you keen to address over the coming months and years?I’m keen to see good quality aged care and retirement facilities – not only in the town of Gingin but across to our coastal towns as well. Our senior members should be able to spend their final days in the area they grew up in if they wish to, as well as those who want to retire in the Gingin Shire to be closer to their families who live here. Better medical facilities would invariably follow as our population ages, which would in turn generate employment.

Also, interest in tourism along our coast is increasing and I’m keen to see this issue managed well in the coming years.

What do you think the Shire does well?I feel we are on the right track by engaging our community more in decision-making processes and I believe we are listening better than we ever have. While this is something we cannot be complacent about, we are starting to see the fruits of our efforts with more people getting involved and providing feedback via workshops, surveys, and social media. In addition, our staff are taking more time to talk to community to find out what they need and making grant funding accessible.

I’m also pleased with our Operations crew who do a fantastic job with gravel road maintenance. We still need more bitumen in the rural sector but work to date is of an excellent standard and it’s a credit to our crew.

What kind of Gingin Shire do you envision for the next 20 years?I envision good age care facilities in place, making the most of our coastal assets from a tourism perspective, and becoming leaders in sustainable waste management practices.

What is it about the Shire of Gingin you appreciate most?Definitely the people. I would have to say our community is inherently cooperative and proactive in achieving their goals. I’ve worked with a number of sporting clubs and country organisations who possess that “get on with it” spirit which I admire and appreciate very much.

I’m also very grateful for a cohesive and cooperative Council. As a leadership body consisting of different backgrounds, issues and circumstances, everyone is courteous and supportive of each other’s ideas and opinions. We of course have healthy debates and disagreements, but it’s respectfully done.

Official Opening of Guilderton Foreshore (new works)

On 22 December 2015 the official opening ceremony was held at the Guilderton Foreshore to celebrate the completion of the boat ramp reconfiguration, fixed deck area, gangway and floating pontoon. Doing the ribbon-cutting honours were Hon Martin Aldridge MLC, Mr Shane Love MLA, Mr Phil Cook from Moore River Cruises and Gingin Shire President David Roe.

Special thanks go to the works contractor Neo Infrastructure for delivering the project to a very high standard, on budget and on time.

Celebrate World Wetlands Day – Free Bus Tour

Councillor’s Councillor’s CornerCorner

What’s on in . . . What’s on in . . . January

Interview with new Deputy Shire President,

Ian (Sam) Collard

Shire NoticesShire NoticesSchedule of Council Meetings 201619 January 19 July16 February 16 August15 March* 20 September19 April 18 October17 May 15 November21 June 20 December*The meeting scheduled for 15 March will be held in Lancelin at a venueto be determined, details of which will be advertised prior to the meeting.

With the exception of the meeting scheduled for 15 March, all meetings will be held in Council Chambers at the Shire of Gingin Administration Centre, 7 Brockman Street, Gingin, commencing at 3.00pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Office Closure – Australia DayPlease note that the Gingin and Lancelin Shire Offices will be closed on the Australia Day public holiday, Tuesday 26 January 2016.

Our Community NewsOur Community News

SunSmart Gingin Triathlon - Sunday 28 FebruaryCelebrate the end of summer with family and friends by getting a team together or competing solo in this year’s SunSmart Gingin Triathlon 2016. Kicking off at the Gingin Aquatic Centre, competitors can choose to compete in the Slater and Gartrell Short Course or the Bendigo Bank Long Course.

For full details and to register for the event please visit the Shire of Gingin website www.gingin.wa.gov.au or contact Cher Groves on 9575 5138 or email triathlon@gingin.wa.gov.au.