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NEWS FROM THE CHAMBERS
Shire of Victoria Plains
CHANGE IN VENUE
COUNCIL MEETING – 20 APRIL
2016
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1995
Act s. 5.25(1)(g) and Local Government
(Administration) Regulations 1996 r. 12(2) it is
hereby advised for public information that the
meeting scheduled for Wednesday 20 April 2016 to
be held in Calingiri has been changed by Council
Resolution 32/2016 and will now be held at the
Bolgart Hall, George Street Bolgart commencing at
2.00pm.
H E (Harry) Hawkins
Chief Executive Officer
Maintenance Grading West of the Shire
To allow gravel roads in all areas of the shire to be
graded 3 times per year, the area west of Great
Northern Highway is put out to tender for contractors to
do. This allows shire staff to concentrate on the eastern
part of the shire. The contract for the west of the shire
was due for renewal and Muchea Grading Contractors
were the successful tender.
Bolgart East Road
Work has also commenced on the Upgrade of the
Bolgart East Road to widen the seal to a full 7 metres.
This work will also include fixing the drainage issues at
the corner of Smith Street, Macpherson Street and
Bolgart East Road to stop water flooding houses in
Macpherson and Nicholas Streets. With the big work
load that our crew have to deal with this year
contractors were also engaged to complete this work
which is funded by the federal governments Roads to
Recovery program.
Football Club Pavilion Lease
Council at its March meeting endorsed the signing of a
lease to the Calingiri Football Club of the pavilion at the
Calingiri Sportsground. The lease commencing at
$2,000 per annum formalises arrangements giving the
club control of the pavilion however they have the
power to sub lease it out to other community
organisations or individuals for functions. The oval
remains a public space maintained by the Shire for the
enjoyment of all residents.
Planning Approval for Oversized Shed
Planning approval was granted by Council for an
oversize shed to be built in Smith Street Bolgart. The
large shed is required to safely store the occupiers Bus,
caravan and trailers out of sight and will make the block
a lot neater. The shed will be at the rear of the block
and not easily visible from the street.
Naming of New Norcia Road
Council endorsed the naming of the current portion of
the Great Northern Highway which is to be replaced by
the new bypass and handed back to the Shire of
Victoria Plains to be maintained as a local road “New
Norcia Road”. Responsibility for naming the road was
given to the Benedictine Community as the road runs
through their town. Council noted while endorsing the
name that when the road is handed back to the Shire
that it must be repaired to Main Roads Standards
before it will be accepted.
Community Grants For Bolgart and Gillingarra
Council agreed to deviate from the policy on community
grants by allowing the Gillingarra Sport and Recreation
Club to be paid their 2014/2015 grant funding for the
patio that was erected on their hall even though it was
completed late. Community grants under Council policy
must be spent in the year they are approved and
cannot be rolled forward however the Bolgart Progress
Association was given permission to carry their
2015/2016 grant forward as the land needed to
complete the relocation of the tourism information bay
into the town centre has not been released by State
Land Services meaning the project through no fault of
the association could not be completed this year.
Suicide Prevention Training Grants
Council endorsed a suggestion from Cr Penn that the
Shire apply for a Suicide Prevention Grant in the
current funding round to train school teachers,
Ambulance officers and other interested persons in
suicide prevention. Suicide is a major problem in some
rural communities and to have people based in our
community who are trained to deal with this if it arises
will be a good resource to have on hand.