President’s Message
Avon Link Train
The new train schedule starts on Monday 1st December so I encourage anyone who has been thinking about using the train to have a good look at trying to work their plans in to suit the train schedule.
The timetable is:
Mon/Tues/Thurs/Friday:
Northam 6:30am to Midland 7:50am
Midland 8:15am to Northam 9:35am
Northam 10am to Midland 11:20am
Midland 2pm to Northam 3:20pm
Northam 4pm to Midland 5:20pm
Midland 5:50pm to Northam 7:10pm
The service is less frequent on a Wednesday but the Prospector service links in.
Saturday is Northam 8:30am to Midland 9:50am
Midland 3:35pm to Northam 4:55pm
No train service runs on Sunday.
Various bus services are also run out of the Northam train station.
The train fares one way Northam to Midland are:
Adult $19.75
Children/Concession Card holders $9.90
Smart Commuter fares are $12.85
The service stops at Toodyay each way.
Please see the Transwa website www.transwa.wa.gov.au or phone 1300 662 205 for more information.
Bushfire season
The Shire’s Prohibited burning period started on 15th November. We have recently had a fire in the Northam Army Camp area west of the Detention Centre so our volunteers are already being called upon for assistance. The brigades are always looking for more trained manpower so please contact the Shire or your local brigade for contact details if you can possibly assist.
If you have not managed to comply with the Shire’s Firebreak Order, please contact the Shire on 9622 6100 to discuss your options. It is better to get compliant now rather than run a fire risk all season.
The phone number for all fire emergencies is 000.
Christmas
A “Christmas in the Park” event is planned for Friday 12th December from 6pm to 9pm in Bernard Park.
The annual Christmas Carols will be held at the Northam Recreation Centre from 6:30pm on Saturday 13th December.
Don’t forget to shop locally as the Northam Chamber of Commerce is running a lucky shopper campaign again this year.
Weed management
A big thank you to all those residents who have done their best to get the weeds under control, both on their own property and adjacent verges etc, in recent weeks. The place looks much tidier and more loved than previously, which is encouraging to everyone living in the Shire.
Library News
Northam Library’s January Summer Program
Tuesday’s
10.00am – 11.00am Warhammer club 10 years and over. Free registration essential
2.00pm – 3.00pm Art and Craft 8 years and over. Cost $3.00. Registration essential
Wednesday’s
Summer Adventure Book Club 6-8 years 10.00am – 11.00am Free
Summer Adventure Book Club 9- 12 years 1.00pm – 2.00pm Free
Library Closure Dates December 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th January 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 31st
Wundowie Library’s January Summer Program
Thursday’s
10.00am – 11.00am Art 10 years and over. Cost $3.00. Registration essential
2.00pm – 3.00pm Game Club 8 years and over. Free event
Friday’s
Summer Adventure Book Club 6-8 years 10.00am – 11.00am Free
Summer Adventure Book Club 9- 12 years 1.00pm – 2.00pm Free
Library Closure Dates December 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, January 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th 31st
Lego Club at Wundowie will finish on the 28th of November for the year
Christmas Letters to Santa
Jolina, age 5 years was spotted posting her letter to Santa at the Northam Library this week “I’ve sent my list to Santa”. Children of all ages are invited to post their Christmas letters to Santa care of the library and come in the following week to check his notice board for their reply. If you come on Thursday evening at 6.00pm you can also hear Christmas stories, and sing along with Sing Australia as they shed a little Christmas cheer..
Ranger News
Parking
Northam is a regional centre for the wheatbelt, with its commercial hub located on Fitzgerald Street between Gairdner Street and Peel Terrace. Being the main street that services a variety of commercial, private and government services there is a need to ensure that premium parking is available to all users during normal business hours.
This street is currently governed by a 1 hour limit which is primarily in place to allow customers regular and convenient access to those services. Unfortunately, Rangers are receiving regular complaints from members of the public and business owners regarding some drivers who are continually overstaying the current 1 hour limit. Records indicate that a majority of these offenders are business owners or staff who work on Fitzgerald Street.
Please be aware that current legislation states that a vehicle must not return to a time restricted area within the hour of leaving that area.
If you or your staff are parking for longer than the prescribed limit or return to the same street within the hour of leaving, you may incur a penalty. Please consider that each vacant bay will allow a prospective customer the opportunity to access your business or service. Like you, customers prefer a parking spot in front or as close as possible to their intended destination.
In the interest of community spirit and goodwill, Rangers ask that consideration is given to where you park your vehicle. There is ample free and unrestricted parking on Wellington Street and Minson Ave.
Bushfire Vigilance
The coming bushfire season is shaping out to be foreboding due to late rains increasing the growth of native grasses that will provide increased fuel loads as the weather dries out.
The installation of firebreaks on rural properties, and slashing of weeds on town properties was due on 1 November, and the prohibited burning season commenced on 15 November 2014.
The Shire’s Senior Ranger, Dave Valcic said that residents cannot afford to be complacent, given the information that is now available on bushfire protection. “The Toodyay bushfires in 2009 are a reminder of what can happen if there is a fire during periods of high fire danger”.
Mr Valcic said that unfortunately there had already been a couple of incidents where volunteer firefighters had to respond to fires that should not have called on their services. One related to a farmer leasing a property who left a camp fire unattended. This resulted in a grass fire which burned towards a crop, and would have quickly spread if it had not been reported and attended by the volunteer fire brigade. The resident was told to completely extinguish the fire, however did not do so, and the local volunteer fire brigade had to return and put out what was still burning the next day.
“This is completely unacceptable and irresponsible behaviour. Not only is it placing lives and property at risk, it is placing unnecessary burdens on volunteers who will likely have enough to contend with, just from fires from natural causes such as lightning strikes ”.
Whilst the Shire does not wish to be heavy handed, the community cannot afford to have incidents that threaten its livelihood, and therefore will be taking strong action on fire safety including firebreaks, this year.
Bauxite Mining Exploration
The Bauxite Alumina Joint Ventures (BAJV) Felicitas resource development is currently in its exploration stage which includes exploring bauxite resources within the Shires of Northam, Toodyay and Mundaring (the majority of the bauxite deposit is located in Toodyay). All mining exploration and extraction is exempt from Local Government approval through the Mining Act, therefore, the Shire is being consulted as an affected party but is not the approving body for the project.
For community members that are interested or concerned with this project, up-to-date information and FAQ sheets are available on the BAJV website at the following link www.bajv.com.au
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