Home: Mundaring News

Shire Starts Master Planning Process for Lake Leschenaultia

Rebecca Noakes — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:23:21 GMT

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SHIRE of Mundaring is seeking feedback from the community to find out what facilities they would like to see developed at Lake Leschenaultia.

Information received from the community will provide the basis for a master planning document and how the facility may be developed in future years.

Creating Communities Australia (CCA) will undertake an extensive survey of Mundaring residents via an online survey that will be posted on the Shire of Mundaring website. The link to the survey can be found under the Public Notices section on the main page of the website or click here.

Shire President Helen Dullard said the Shire was keen to make the most of this beautiful community asset.

“It’s a place where generations of Western Australians have visited to swim, hire a canoe or have a family BBQ,”

Cr Dullard said.

Cr Dullard said Lake Leschenaultia attracted approximately 50,000 visitors each year and that its 29 camp sites could accommodate up to 200 people.

“Whilst the location is fantastic, the facilities will need upgrading in the future and the Shire would like to know what facilities the community feel are needed.”

“But for the project to be successful it must be driven by the community that uses it; consequently, I’m very keen to hear what users think we should plan for and how to best improve the facility.”

The survey will close at midnight on Sunday, November 22. If you would like any further information regarding the project or if you are interested in completing the survey but are unable to do so online please contact Nicole Botica at Creating Communities on 9755 4468. Nicole will be able to complete the survey on your behalf via telephone.

Publish: 6/11/2009

New equipment for inspecting firebreak compliance

Rebecca Noakes — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:30:43 GMT

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SHIRE of Mundaring Rangers have new technology to help them monitor landowners’ compliance with firebreak regulations.

Rangers will use laptops with a connection to their mobile phones which will allow details of properties to be entered straight into the internal network at the Shire’s administration office. A GPS program will be added in the near future.

Community Safety and Health Services Manager Adrian Dyson said the equipment would allow a more efficient process in processing letters to ratepayers not complying with firebreak requirements.

“Our rangers have a large area to cover when inspecting firebreaks, so this technology will help speed things along and get people preparing their firebreaks in time for the fire season,” he said.

“Firebreaks must be installed and maintained from November 30 to March 31. Our rangers will begin inspecting properties from December 1.

“Property owners or occupiers should refer to the Shire of Mundaring Fire and Burning Information Booklet to ensure they meet firebreak requirements.

“During an emergency, fire fighting personnel and fire appliances may need to use established firebreaks to access fires. With this in mind, landowners need to ensure the firebreaks are maintained and clear of any flammable material or obstructions like overhanging branches of trees.”

Information on firebreak requirements, flammable materials and Building Protection Zones is available from the Shire of Mundaring Fire and Burning Information Booklet.

Copies of the booklet are available from the Shire’s Administration Office or can be downloaded from www.mundaring.wa.gov.au

Publish: 5/11/2009

Passes required to access transfer stations

Rebecca Noakes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:28:36 GMT

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RESIDENTS will no longer be able to access Shire of Mundaring transfer stations without a current tip pass.

Passes are sent to residents each year with annual rates notices. Residents who have used local transfer stations since September would have had a barcode sticker placed on their pass.

Shire Infrastructure Services Director Shane Purdy said the passes would be scanned each time they were used to identify what areas particular waste was coming from.

“Waste management is very costly so we want to ensure we are meeting the needs of residents in the most cost effective manner,” he said.

“The data received at transfer stations will help us monitor just how much and what type of waste is being received.”

Mr Purdy said residents would no longer be able to access transfer stations without a current 2009-2010 tip pass.

“In the past some leniancy was given if other proof of residence within the Shire was provided, but this will no longer be accepted as a means of entry.”

Residents who have lost their tip pass can purchase a new pass from the Shire at a cost of $22, however only one replacement pass will be provided.

The Shire’s transfer stations include Coppin Rd at Mundaring, Mathieson Rd at Chidlow, and Mayo Road at Wooroloo.

Publish: 12/11/2009

Greenmount Library becomes a Wi-Fi hot spot

Rebecca Noakes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:27:06 GMT

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SHIRE of Mundaring has introduced a free Wi-Fi service at the Katharine Susannah Prichard Library – making it one of the first WA public libraries to become a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Wi-Fi is a free wireless service which allows people to connect to the Internet via their own laptop.

The service is open to any registered member of the Shire’s library service.

Shire President Helen Dullard said the library currently had four public computers which were almost always in use.

The Wi-Fi service would cater for library members wanting to bring their own laptop to access the internet.

“We have designed a question and answer pamphlet to help guide users,” Cr Dullard said.

“The information includes how to access the service, what equipment they would need and restrictions for downloads.

“Users will be able to download a certain amount of megabytes each day. In setting the download limit, we want members to have the opportunity to access internet sites - it is not really for entertainment like downloading music or videos.”

For more information visit the library at 4 Scott Street, Greenmount or phone 9294 1421.

Publish: 12/11/2009

New Food Act to affect more businesses

Rebecca Noakes — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:51:42 GMT

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FOOD handling businesses within the Shire of Mundaring are being encouraged to review new regulations under the Food Act 2008, implemented last week.

The Act covers a wide range of food safety issues to ensure consumers can be confident about the safety of what they are buying and eating.

It follows the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code which covers cleanliness, sanitation, hygiene, food serving practices and other aspects that go into the preparation and provision of food.

Shire Health and Community Safety Manager Adrian Dyson said there had previously been different pieces of legislation related to various aspects of food safety.

The Act replaced them all and would make regulations clearer for business owners, employees and government organisations.

Mr Dyson said the Act also provided a new definition of a food business, which would impact a new range of businesses, including:

· school canteens and cafeterias;

· workplace (including mine site) canteens and cafeterias;

· bed and breakfast establishments;

· lodging house kitchens;

· businesses involved in the storage of food;

· food transportation businesses;

· food businesses run by charitable and community organisations; and

· family day care centres.

“The Act defines a food business as a business, enterprise or activity that involves the handling of food intended for sale or the sale of food,” he said.

“This is regardless of whether the business, enterprise or activity is of a commercial, charitable or community nature or whether it involves the handling or sale of food on one occasion only.

“With this in mind we encourage anyone unsure of whether the new Act applies to them to contact our environmental health officers or visit our website for further information.”

Mr Dyson said those who fail to meet regulations under the Act can be issued with Improvement Notices, Prohibition Orders, Infringements (on the spot fines) or for very serious breaches may face court imposed fines of between $10,000 and $250,000 and in some cases imprisonment.

Depending on the severity of food safety breaches, Shire officers could issue formal warnings, improvement notices, prohibition orders; infringement notices (fines), or ensue legal action through the courts.

For more information contact the Shire on 9290 6666 or visit www.mundaring.wa.gov.au

Publish: 5/11/2009

Perth Solar City project launched

Rebecca Noakes — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:45:06 GMT

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SHIRE of Mundaring is part of the Commonwealth-funded Perth Solar City project which was launched today at the Midland Railway Workshop.

EMRC member councils Shire of Mundaring, Town of Bassendean, City of Bayswater, City of Belmont, Shire of Kalamunda and City of Swan are key partners in the project.

Shire of Mundaring’s involvement will include installing a 3kW PV system at the new Youth Centre in Swan View and 10kW PV system at the Shire Administration Centre.

More information on the Perth Solar City project is available by phoning 1300 993 268 or from website www.perthsolarcity.com.au , click here.

Publish: 5/11/2009

Prepare. Act. Survive.

Rebecca Noakes — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:28:48 GMT

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THE Prepare. Act. Survive. guide, recently launched by FESA in conjunction with Bushfire Awareness Week, will assist people in getting ready for what is predicted to be a busy bushfire season.

Bushfires can start suddenly, often without warning, and can cause great devastation, injury and death, which is why people living near bushland must get ready now.

FESA Chief Operations Officer Craig Hynes said people needed to prepare their home and develop a bushfire survival plan so they can act during a fire to survive.

“People should focus on their survival as a priority as homes can be rebuilt,” Mr Hynes said.

“Being in a bushfire may be one of the most traumatic experiences you will ever have.

“This is why leaving early if a fire starts, hours before it reaches you, will always be the safest option for you and your family.

“Fires can be very frightening, it will be unbearably hot and you will be surrounded by smoke, flames and loud noises which will make it very hard to think clearly or make good decisions.

“It is vital that you protect yourself and your family by ensuring you have a bushfire survival plan in place.”

Mr Hynes said it was not enough to have a general idea of what you would do in a bushfire, people needed to be proactive in planning long before a fire occurred.

“Your bushfire survival plan needs to be written down and put in a place where everyone can find it,” he said.

“Your plan may vary depending on who is at home and cover what you will do if things went wrong.

“It is your responsibility to reduce the risk to your family and home, and take actions to survive the bushfire.

“The more you prepare your home, the better chance of survival you and your home will have.”

People should also decide where they will go, how they will get there, what will happen to pets and what belongings they will take.

“These are all considerations that can’t happen at the last minute, they need to be well thought out and actions decided on now.”

‘Prepare. Act. Survive.’ guide is available on FESA’s website or by calling 9323 9816.

To go direct to the guide click here.

Publish: 6/11/2009

Residents urged to get ready for bush fire season

Rebecca Noakes — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:20:47 GMT

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SHIRE of Mundaring is encouraging residents to prepare for the bush fire season by cleaning up their yards and making sure they have an action plan in place should fire threaten their property.

The call comes in conjunction with Bush Fire Awareness Week, which runs from October 30 to November 6.

Shire Community Fire Manager Craig Garrett said he hoped the week would encourage people in bushfire prone areas to prepare themselves and their properties for the coming bush fire season.

“We have been conducting hazard reduction burns in areas throughout the Shire over the past few months,” he said.

“These prescribed burns are aimed at limiting the amount of onground fuel, which can make fire harder to control.

“We are conducting the burns and upgrading firebreaks to help manage reserves and Crown land, but residents need to take responsibility for their properties.

“People need to do these things now, not wait until the hot weather arrives and it’s too late.”

Mr Garrett said reducing the amount and structure of flammable material available to burn would help reduce the intensity of a fire.

By reducing fuel loads, firefighters were able to put bush fires out quicker and had more options to suppress a fire.

Mr Garrett said residents must prepare properties early and have an action plan in place.

“The most frequently asked questions during a bush fire is should I stay and defend my property or go early?,” Mr Garrett said.

“We encourage everyone to sit down with their partner or family and come up with an action plan now.

“If you have prepared your home prior to the bush fire season and maintained that level of preparation, and are physically and mentally prepared, your home may provide you with a safe option from which to stay and defend during a bush fire, depending on forecasted conditions.

“If you decide to go, do so early. This is much safer than trying to escape on roads covered in thick smoke or fallen trees.”

Details regarding brigade locations, contacts and rules for burning after 6pm can be found in the Shire’s Fire and Burning Information Booklet 2009-10 (sent with Rates notices).

For further information contact the Shire’s Community Safety Service on 9290 6629.

Publish: 6/11/2009