President's Report

December 2021

Extraordinary Election

An extraordinary election has been called for Friday 21 January 2022 to fill one vacancy on Council. Nominations open Wednesday 8^th December and close 4pm sharp Wednesday 15^th December. If you are thinking about nominating for Council and would like more information about the role, please do not hesitate to contact me, another Councillor or the Chief Executive Officer. Information packs are also available from the Shire Office.

Remembrance Day

The Deputy Shire President, Cr Chris Lawlor, and I attended the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph on Thursday 11^th November 2021. I laid a wreath on behalf of the Beverley Community to commemorate this special day which must never be allowed to be forgotten. Thank you to the Beverley RSL for organising and conducting the service.

Central Country Zone Meeting

With Cr. Chris Lawlor and the Chief Executive Officer, we attended the meeting in Wandering on Friday 19^th November. These meetings are an important venue for all Local Government Authorities to collectively put their views through WALGA to relevant Ministers and Government Departments. Of particular concern is the new legislation on Occupational, Health, and Safety which places increasing responsibility on organisations for not only the welfare of employees but more importantly, volunteers.

Community Grants

A reminder that the second round of Community Grants is coming up. Grants will open on Tuesday 4^th January 2022 and close 4pm, Tuesday 31^st January 2022. Community Groups need to be incorporated. Small Individual grants for state and national representation in your field are also available.

Town Waste Collection – 24 December 2021 and 31 December 2021

The waste collections due for Beverley on Friday the 24^th of December 2021 and New Year’s Eve, 31^st December 2021 will be serviced as normal. Please have your bins out early.

Fire Control

We are now in the Prohibited Burning Period – no fires are allowed. Firebreaks are to be maintained until 15^th April.

To join the Harvest/Fire Ban SMS service, please contact Shire admin staff 9646 1200 to register.

If there is a fire emergency of any kind, please call 000.

Roadworks

Throughout December, road works are planned for upgrading Council Road and the Industrial Area and repairs on Top Beverley Road.

Council continues to renew its plant assets and have recently awarded a tender for a new multi tyre roller and a new tip truck.

Reconciliation Action Plan

Council is seeking expressions of interest from any of our Indigenous Community members living in Beverley who are interested in joining a small working group to develop the Shire’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Please call or visit the Admin Office for more details. If you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to contact me.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It has been another successful year at the Shire with completion of many projects including the Caravan Park Cabins, upgrades to the Town Hall and Platform Theatre at Station Arts. Various road works have been completed throughout the Shire. The Vincent Street Streetscape Project has commenced and will continue through the first quarter of 2022. We thank you for your patience with the continuing work on the power, roads and footpaths. It will be worth it!

Please be aware the Shire Office will close at 4pm Thursday 23 December and not reopen until Tuesday 4 January, be sure to check you have all your licensing requirements sorted or paid by the 23^rd.

On behalf of Councillors and Shire Staff I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please travel safely on your journeys and enjoy a restful holiday period.