Published on Thursday, 29 July 2021 at 6:56:04 PM
Murray-Waroona Resource Sharing Joint Statement
On 22 and 27 July respectively, the Shires of Murray and Waroona resolved to recommit their focus on a large number of economically significant major projects that are either in progress or under development.
From a regional perspective, the Murray-Waroona-Harvey Water Security Study is being undertaken and the growth of the agri-business sector is being facilitated, especially through Western Australian Food Innovation Precinct efforts.
From an individual Shire perspective, projects include:
Murray:
- Western Australian Food Innovation Precinct build and activation ($35 million)
- Redevelopment of the Exchange Hotel ($5 million)
- Stages Two and Three of the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation ($70 million)
- Pinjarra Revitalisation Strategy ($10 million)
- Implementation of the Dwellingup Futures Sustainability Strategy
- Sir Ross McLarty future development ($13 million)
- Equine Industry development including significant capital upgrades to the racing and harness tracks and the Murray Regional Equestrian Centre under cover arena ($45 million)
- Advocating for local health services and upgrades to Murray District Hospital
- Determination of the feasibility of recommencing rail from Pinjarra to Dwellingup
- North Dandalup Recreation Precinct redevelopment
- New Local Planning Scheme preparation
Waroona:
- Waroona Town Centre Revitalisation Strategy implementation ($10 million)
- Waroona Community Precinct implementation ($5.5 million) with the first $3 million component to commence soon
- Drakesbrook Weir redevelopment ($2.3 million) with first $750,000 component to start soon
- Transforming the Waroona ‘old’ Agriculture Department building into a regional environmental hub ($500,000)
- Development of Waroona Lakes hiking and bike trail from Drakesbrook Weir to Lake Navarino and Lane Poole Reserve ($3 million)
- Activation of redundant Alcoa land and use of infrastructure assets for community recreation and economic purposes
- Strategy develop for the effective management of the Lake Navarino Recreation Precinct
- Preston Beach Foreshore Management Plan implementation
- Ensure Shire alignment to the proposed Yalgorup National Park Master Plan
- Land subdivision stimulus incentive package
Given the number of projects for both Shires, Councils have agreed that the most effective way to successfully lobby for and/or implement these projects is for each Council to employ its own Chief Executive Officer.
Quotes attributable to Shire of Murray Shire President Cr. David Bolt:
“The sharing of a CEO for the past two years has been very successful given the number of projects that are now in front of us. It has also helped both organisations rapidly identify a solid pipeline of additional projects and opportunities that will be key to ensuring our Shires flourish into the future."
"By adopting common processes and procedures, we have also built strong foundations that should support further savings and allowing us to explore new areas for our alliance into the future”
“Murray Waroona resource sharing will continue to provide positive outcomes for both organisations and has demonstrated that by working together local governments with similar demographics and shared vision can reduce costs while improving their sustainability, ultimately delivering better value and services for their local communities and ratepayers”.
Quotes attributable to Shire of Waroona Shire President Cr. Mike Walmsley:
“The sharing of the CEO with Murray has yielded some very positive outcomes for our council in the last two years. With the arrangement though it has become clear that the tremendous number of projects that have been activated will need dedicated leadership from both Councils”.
“The vision is that dedicated CEO’s will have a strong working relationship across both Councils and still continue to deliver great outcomes for our communities”.
“Dean Unsworth has displayed an unmatched work ethic and is an extremely capable CEO. Our Council has been strengthened by his leadership and the next person to fill this role will be expected to keep up the momentum and work closely with him in furthering the resource sharing agreement.”
The Shire of Waroona will soon commence recruitment, with the view to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer later this year. Mr. Unsworth will remain joint Chief Executive Officer until the successful applicant commences to ensure a seamless transition.
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For further comment, please contact:
Lauren Williams
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Shire of Murray
T: 9531 7777
E: cmc@murray.wa.gov.au.
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