F o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n v i s i t w w w . n o r t h a m . w a . g o v . a u

H e r i t a g e , C o m m e r c e a n d L i f e s t y l eNortham News

JANUARY 2014

Ranger NewsI’m Alert Dog Training

Cat Ownership

Firebreak inspections are ongoing. Property owners are reminded that the firebreak requirements must be maintained up to and including 30th April each year. After a good or late wet season, you may be required to redo firebreaks/slashing as substantial growth may continue during the season.

The Shire would like to invite all current dog owners and people considering dog ownership to have a look at this useful and fun interactive site - www.imalert.com.au/dog/northamdog/northamdog-dog.php .

The site covers all aspects of dog ownership and may assist people in determining if dog ownership is suitable for them. Current dog owners can test their knowledge and maybe even learn a few new tricks.

Funding is still available for pension card holders to have their cats “snipped and chipped” for a subsidised fee of $50.00.

All cat owners are reminded that compulsory registration, sterilisation and micro chipping of cats is now a requirement of law and cat owners may be infringed for none compliance. In saying this, the Shire may be able to assist owners with numerous cats reach these requirements, so please contact Ranger Services on 9622 7267 if you are having difficulties.

Firebreak Inspections

Household Hazardous Waste

Volunteers Recognised on Australia Day

Avon Link Rail Service Expansion Proposal

Shire residents can continue to embrace recycling by utilising the Shire of Northam’s Recycling Station located in the foyer of the Shire’s Administration building.The purpose built Recycling Station can accept printer cartridges, household batteries, mobile phones, fluorescent light globes and fluorescent tubes.Disposing of these specific items through the Shire Administration Recycling Station not only reduces the bulk of the green wheelie waste going to landfill, it also removes from the environment many toxic substances they contain including mercury, nickel, cadmium and lead.

Congratulations to all the nominees for this year’s Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards, who have each made outstanding contributions to the community. This year’s nominees were: Mr Earnest Ervin, Mrs Jan James, Mrs Joyce Sangston, Mr James West, Bakers Hill Progress Association, Lions Club of Northam, Northam PCYC, Northam RSL Women’s Auxiliary and Perth Hills and Wheatbelt Band.

Joyce Sangston was announced as the individual winner, having been an active volunteer since 1985 and being instrumental in retaining the Ambulance Service at Wundowie. Joyce was an Ambulance Officer for many years, and held the Secretary / Treasurer position for 24 years. She remains committed to the Service and is still an active member of the Wundowie St John’s Ambulance. Joyce is a Red Cross Association well-being contact for elderly persons, and is an active volunteer for the Relay for Life. She is also a volunteer with the Cancer Survivor Support Group at the Northam Hospital, putting in her valuable time visiting Hospice patients each week.

The Bakers Hill Progress and Recreation Association, nominated in recognition for the organisation of the very popular Motorama event, was announced winner of the group/event category. The 2013 Motorama was an outstanding success and demonstrates what a small community can achieve through hard work and collaboration. The Motorama attracted more than 6,500 visitors to Bakers Hill, offering attractions such as live music and free entertainment for children. There were over 550 vintage cars, motorcycles and vintage stationary machinery on display, as well as indoor markets.

The decision by the state government in December to defer the cancellation of the Avon Link Rail Service for a further six months has prompted the establishment of a working party to fully consider the future of the service. Established by the Wheatbelt Development Commission and the Public Transport Authority, the group includes representation by the Shires of Northam and Toodyay. Mr Jason Whiteaker, Shire or Northam Chief Executive Officer, attended the first meeting and said he is “committed to ensuring the needs of the community are adequately relayed to the working party”.

The working party is seeking the input of the Northam community around the appropriateness of the current timetable. As a starting point the working party have formed a view that the existing timetable needs to be expanded to include an additional return trip on weekdays, this could be on the basis of a daily addition or an increased service over a few days during the week. Mr Whiteaker said that “when making comment on preference of frequency for the additional services, the community needs to be mindful that each additional service comes at a considerable cost and that there needs to be a balance in terms of cost effectiveness.”

Currently services from Northam depart at 6:30am, arriving Midland at 7:50am; and services from Midland depart at 5:50pm, arriving Northam at 7:10pm on weekdays. The Shire of Northam would value the public comments by 4 February 2014 on the proposal for additional services and which days of the week the services should be offered. The project working group will also be investigating improved ticketing and information services. Comments should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer and can be submitted by mail, email or on the Shire’s facebook page.

President’s MessageWundowie Youth Space & Skate Park

The upgrading of the Wundowie Skate Park is gaining momentum following the engagement of En Locus to develop designs for the area. En Locus is a specialist company that works with communities to plan and deliver public spaces that are unique and meet the needs of the community.

Members of the Wundowie community, young or old, male or female, whether or not they skate or ride, are encouraged to start thinking about what is needed to revitalise the space so that it becomes a community hub. In addition to the upgrade of the actual skate facility, the plan will include other elements such as seating and shade. This is a park for the community and we want the community to tell us what they want. En Locus will be visiting Wundowie on Thursday 13 February to look at the current facility and meet with the community and key stakeholders so that plans can be developed. Swimming Pool Fun Day

If you are looking for something to do on Friday 31st January at 10am, head to the Northam Swimming Pool for some fun for the young and not so young. Avon Link Train Service

The Shire is on a small group working in conjunction with the Wheatbelt Development Commission, Shire of Toodyay and the Department of Transport to develop the case for retention and improvement of this service. Anyone with constructive input about the service is encouraged to contact the Shire CEO on 9622 6100 or the Development Commission on 9622 7222 urgently so that a case can be developed for the State Government to consider. Hours of departure/arrival, safety, cost and ticketing access seem to be main contentious issues but any input will be considered. If we cannot develop an overwhelming case for retention, this service will be lost so please don’t be afraid to come forward with your opinions and suggestions. Summer Concerts

This year we will see one of our three public concerts held in Wundowie on the 15th March so I encourage everyone to come and see the town, especially if you haven’t been there for a few years. The other concerts are in Northam on the 1st and 29th March so mark your calendars accordingly. Cr Steven Pollard Shire President

Community Safety Committee – Seeking Community RepresentativesThe Shire of Northam is seeking expressions of interest from individuals to become a community representative on the newly formed Shire of Northam Community Safety Committee.

The objective of the Committee is to enhance community safety and reduce criminal and anti-social behaviour through a collaboration of key interests and agencies. This Committee is a formally appointed committee of Council and its duties and responsibilities will include conducting a review of the Shire’s Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan and the development of a Community Alcohol Management Plan, as well overseeing the implementation of both Plans. It will also promote community involvement in safety and crime prevention efforts.

Individuals interested in being considered for one of the three community representative positions available should familiarise themselves with the Committee’s Terms of Reference, which is available from the Shire of Northam website, and submit a brief statement (no more than 1 page) addressing the following:

• Reason for interest • Relevant skills and experience • Current community involvement / links to the communityFor further information please contact Senior Community Services Coordinator, Annique Gray via email cdo@northam.a.gov.au or phone 9622 6129.