President's Report
June 2019
Budget 2019-2020
Council and staff are well underway with the 2019/2020 budgetary process, recently reviewing fees and charges and the capital program.
Vincent Street Bridge Works
Works are progressing on the Vincent Street Bridge widening and from all accounts are on schedule. The new footpath is almost ready to be opened for pedestrians and looks like it’s going to be a massive improvement from what everyone was using prior to the refurbishment.
Town Hall Kitchen Redevelopment
The Town Hall Kitchen renovations have commenced. The hall is still available to hire without the kitchen.
Roadworks
Conditions are very dry and while we are all desperately looking for rain the lack of it has seen the road crew and several contractors continue with programmed footpath and roadworks without delay. Reconstruction, widening and sealing has been completed on Morbinning road between Aikin and East Lynne roads with work currently underway on a 2km section near Athol road. Footpath west of Hunt Road on Vincent street has been renewed with concrete. Gravel sheeting has been completed on a 1km section of Rickeys road, 2 km on Edison Mill road and nearing completion on a section of Kokedin road. A culvert on K1 road damaged in the 2017 flood event has been replaced and the culvert in the gravel railway carpark has been repaired. Tree lopping under town powerlines and on several rural roads is due to commence. Hopefully good soaking opening rains are on the way soon.
Youth Activity Space
The Working Group has narrowed the location of a Youth Activity Space and Skate Park to two sites. Feedback has been sought from residents, community group users and businesses near those locations and will be reviewed by the group in early June. Following site selection and concept planning for what might be included the Working Group will make a recommendation for Councils consideration at hopefully the June Council meeting. Following Council endorsement a business case can be developed to support funding applications for the project.
Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network
Over the last 2 years significant work has been undertaken to identify priority routes and provide technical data in the preparation of a pre-feasibility business case and cost benefit analysis for a project known as the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network. With the support of 42 Local Governments across the region this comprises 4400km of local government managed roads that connect with State and National highways and aims to provide safe and cost effective access for heavy vehicles into the region. The project group to date have been successful in receiving $70m Federal funding for stage 1 priority works and $100,000 State Royalties for Regions funding to engage a lead consultant project coordinator for the Project Management Team. The 42 Local Governments have been asked to make a 2019-2020 budget allocation of $6000 toward the project management pool of funds which the Shire of Beverley will be supporting.
Beverley Cornerstone Visitor Centre
I hope by now many local people have had a chance to pop into the Visitor Centre at the Cornerstone and have a look at the aeronautical exhibit and other interactive displays and information. Additional content will soon be added to the Aviation kiosk to include the Cornerstone building official opening and town flyover of the Silver Centenary.
Purple Bench
The Shire supported an approach by our local police to install a Purple Bench in the main street to raise awareness about the alarming issue of domestic and family violence. We might like to think these things don’t happen in our community however it’s not something people would like to go around talking about either. The Womens Domestic Violence helpline is available for anyone requiring support or advice Ph 9223 1188 or 1800 007 339.
Spoilt for Choice?
Are we spoilt for choice in Beverley? The Station Arts have run some terrific entertainment programmes over the summer months with declining numbers supporting those events. The Beverley Mens Shed has been trialling showings of old fashioned favourites and special interest movies on the dual screens in the Cornerstone conference room and the CRC have shown some fabulous modern movies, once again not yet well supported. Perhaps the winter months might entice some more patrons?
CR DEE RIDGWAY
Shire President