Inside Ashburton In This Issue July 2020 Shire invests $6M 2 New footpaths in Onslow 4 Pilbara living huge Caring for the community 5 Volunteers of the Month! 6 drawcard for new Around Ashburton 8 Shire CEO Reef to range 10 In May, the Shire of Ashburton a wealth of knowledge to the role. He every Australian family,” Mr Donohoe said. welcomed former Pilbara resident previously held executive roles in the Town “As a priority, I’m working on implementing Kenneth Donohoe to the role of Chief of Port Hedland, the Shires of Broome and stimulus projects that will achieve Council’s Executive Officer (CEO). Serpentine-Jarrahdale and most recently at vision and advance the region.” Mr Donohoe said he is thrilled to return to Whitsunday Regional Council. Most importantly, he is keen to get to know the Pilbara region. Shire President Councillor Kerry White the community. said she was delighted to welcome “There is something about the red earth, “Those who I have already met have Mr Donohoe to the Shire. smell of the pindan after rain and the sheer demonstrated great pride and passion for vastness of this area that stays with you “Kenn has a proven record of working Ashburton,” he said. effectively with Council and the and brings you back,” Mr Donohoe said. “That’s something I’m looking forward community,” Cr White said. “Since moving to Tom Price I have been to increasing and extending across the astounded by the beauty of the natural “I’m looking forward to working together to region.” environment and the tremendous regional progress the region.” resources that support not just the Pilbara, The new CEO has already begun to This activity met Community Goal 5 of but Australia.” focus on getting a series of capital works the Strategic Community Mr Donohoe has served in local projects off the ground. Plan, Inspiring government for thirty years and brings “This has been a challenging year affecting Governance. Inside Ashburton | July 2020 | 1 Shire invests $6M in local roads With 2,655km of sealed and unsealed Annually, the Shire budgets more than big boost to the region. More than $2M has roads criss-crossing the region, it’s a big $1.1M to maintain its urban road network. been invested to create a sealed road to job to maintain the Shire’s vital transport Key roads receiving a reseal include Millstream Chichester National Park, easing links. Ashburton Avenue and De Grey Road in travel for locals and visitors. Earlier this year, Shire of Ashburton President addition to a number of residential streets. The Shire’s $2.2M Unsealed Rural Roads Kerry White outlined a series of important Residents will receive information prior to Project is expected to finish in late August. road renewal programs to improve the the commencement of works in their area This includes upgrades to Twitchen Road, region’s roads. on how to maintain access to their home. Towera Lyndon Road and Ashburton Downs – Meekatharra Road. Cr White said the road improvement program Cr White said full access will be provided has made significant progress, despite the to all local services throughout this time Residents in Tom Price are advised that challenges presented by COVID-19. and every effort will be made to minimise resealing will commence on identified local roads later this month with Onslow roads “I’m really pleased our $6M road disruption. prioritised for 2021. improvement program has been able to “We urge all our residents to take care successfully advance during these uncertain when travelling through town and to respect times,” she said. the instructions from traffic management This activity met Community Goal 4 of “We have a number of projects underway contractors,” Cr White said. the Strategic Community including our Ashburton Urban Roads The ongoing upgrade to the Pannawonica Plan, Quality Services Renewal Program.” – Millstream Road is also expected to be a and Infrastructure. 2 | Inside Ashburton | July 2020 Our newest Citizen Congratulations to our newest Australian Citizen, Jennifer Forrest, whose ceremony was conducted on 4 July 2020 in Tom Price by Cr Peter Foster. New Australian Citizen Jennifer Forrest & Cr Peter Foster SAFETY EXCLUSION ZONES Recreational boat users must adhere to safety exclusion zones in the Port of Ashburton ´ 23 *# 0 100 200 )" 24 Metres SAFETY NOTICE TO ALL BOAT USERS 160 m With large ships constantly entering and leaving port waters, it’s up to 215 m you as a responsible recreational craft skipper to ensure you and your passengers remain safe. You MUST stay well clear of the shipping channel and large STAY 215 m 400 m ships and only cross the channel when safe to do so. Remember, you’re the skipper, and you’re responsible. WELL CLEAR FOR MORE INFORMATION Port of Ashburton facilities(08) 9159 6555 Port facilities Boating safety www.pilbaraports.com.au exclusion zone (08) 9159 6556 | [email protected] [email protected] Boating safety exclusion zone www.pilbaraports.com.au GIS ref: PG-055-003-001-003_Ashburton_recreational_boating_exclusion Inside Ashburton | July 2020 | 3 New footpaths in Onslow enhance accessibility Onslow residents are enjoying the benefits Improvements have also been made to of a big investment in local footpaths. residential streets including Third Avenue, The $450,000 footpath renewal and repair Cameron Avenue to McRae Place and program was recently completed. Shire Maunsell Corner. President Kerry White said she was very An additional 1.6km of footpath has been pleased that the works had resolved some created, providing greater pedestrian access outstanding issues. for residents “There have been some important changes The upgrade is part of a broader $1.1M to key locations in town that will greatly footpath program that will be extended improve accessibility and liveability for our across the Shire in coming months. local community,” she said. Upgraded locations include the footpath at the Ocean View Caravan Park and along This activity met Community Goal 4 of Backbeach Road, as well as critical areas on the Strategic Community First Avenue and Second Avenue which link Plan, Quality Services to the hospital entrance. and Infrastructure. www.healthywa.wa.gov.au 4 | Inside Ashburton | July 2020 COVID-19 WASH HANDS COUGH/SNEEZE DISPOSE OF AVOID OTHERS MAINTAIN SOCIAL OFTEN INTO ELBOW TISSUES IF UNWELL DISTANCING www.ashburton.wa.gov.au Businesses, community groups and local Small businesses, community sporting clubs struggling with financial groups and sporting clubs Caring hardship and loss as a result of COVID-19 receive boost are encouraged to contact the Shire Close to thirty local businesses have for the to apply to write off outstanding debts now benefitted from the Shire’s Small incurred since 1 February 2020. Business and Community Grants Fund. The Shire established the $250,000 fund, A helping hand to get ahead community in addition to the $250,000 COVID-19 At the height of COVID-19 restrictions, Support and Relief Reserve to support the Shire reached out to many local small businesses, community groups and during groups to offer support. sporting clubs experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19. The fund was boosted Working closely with VSwans, the by a generous $1M donation by long-term COVID-19 Wirrpanda Foundation, IGA supermarket community partner Rio Tinto. and Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation, the Council-endorsed relief package Shire assisted and coordinated support to Comprising a mix of in-kind support and eases financial stress Peedamulla and Bindi Bindi communities, financial contributions, close to $350,000 In April this year, the Shire endorsed as well as coordinated with EPIC and has already been approved and distributed a $1.5M series of financial support Foodbank WA to offer a free online nutrition across the region. and relief measures that have eased the strain for residents impacted by education workshop. Shire of Ashburton President Kerry White said she was pleased local businesses and groups COVID-19. In Tom Price, the Shire liaised with Gumala were taking advantage of the support available. “As a local government, we have a to close off the Wakathuni community, responsibility to our community members providing signage to close roads and “We are still accepting submissions and the during an emergency event like a health helping community members to get funding next round of assessments will be made in late August,” Cr White said. pandemic,” said Shire President and return from town to land. Assistance Kerry White. was also provided to ensure medicines and “I would encourage all those facing financial essential goods continued to be delivered. hardship who meet the criteria to apply.” Measures that have lightened the load include rent relief on leases to small The Shire also worked with the Ashburton To apply for financial support, please visit businesses, community groups and Aboriginal Cooperation and the Youth www.ashburton.wa.gov.au/the-shire/ clubs, no increase to fees and charges for Centre to donate food to communities. rates/covid19-relief-application 2020/21 and the adoption of a Financial In Onslow, Chevron generously donated This activity met Community Goal 1 of Hardship Policy. $1M to the Chevron Onslow Relief Fund to the Strategic Community The Shire also announced there would be enable the provision of financial support and Plan, Vibrant and no increase to rates for 2020/21. Rates critical health services to Onslow residents, Active Communities. notices will be deferred and issued in the Aboriginal communities, local businesses first week of November with a flexible and the unemployed. The mining partner This activity met Community Goal 2 of monthly payment option. Special payment also encouraged Onslow businesses and the Strategic Community arrangements for rates will also be residents to get involved in the Shop Local Plan, Economic extended to 30 June 2021.